Prepare to walk the plank and hoist the Jolly Roger this weekend when Cap'n Dan Mimmack's pirate ship sails into The Coeur d'Alene Resort Boardwalk Marina.

The jolly captain will be in full pirate regalia onboard the Windsong, his authentic 17th-century replica of a three-masted frigate, beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Kids, families and interested individuals will have opportunities to explore the all-varnished wooden vessel, complete with wooden cannon, and immerse themselves in the pirate's life. The adventure will include pirates, parrots and a chance to plunder the ship's treasure chest for a keepsake. Mimmack and his ship will be docked all day and will be back Sunday for another day of fun.

"Jack Sparrow will be there with bells on," Mimmack said.

Mimmack, fondly known as "Cap'n Dan," has been active with his Jack Sparrow character for four years. He acquired the nearly 22-foot ship in 2011 from a grandfather who built it for his grandchildren. Mimmack restored the ship and dove into continuing the ship's life as a pirate fantasy for kids.

"For the time that they're onboard, they just get to be kids in a place where they're safe and they get to play with Jack Sparrow," Mimmack said Wednesday. "It's almost a fantasy, but the ship is real. When they dress up and they have a sword in their hands - that's real."

Mimmack said his time serving as a counselor to youths between the ages of 10 and 17 really emphasized a child's need to experience what he calls "pure play." A kid at heart himself, he realizes that not all children get the opportunity to forget about their problems and have fun.

"'Pure play' is a sense where the child feels safe enough to let go of all the stuff he has to deal with and just play," Mimmack said. "When they get onboard, they know that this is a time for them. I get incredible joy out of providing an opportunity for kids to play."

Mimmack takes the ship to festivals throughout the Northwest and shares his seafaring spirit with children in several communities. While aboard the Windsong and entertaining guests of all ages, Mimmack also accepts donations to benefit Creations for Sandpoint, a nonprofit that serves the community by providing the free space and materials for anyone, especially families and kids, to be creative through art. And when he's not a pirate, he and his wife, Pam, are the owners and operators of Northwest Handmade Furniture in Sandpoint.

But Mimmack will be all pirate this weekend; you may catch a glimpse of him as he sails the Windsong from Blackwell Island to the marina Friday evening, and you may even hear a "Yo ho ho!" as he traverses the waters.

"We're all a little pirate at heart," Mimmack said.