A crusty crew calling themselves Pirates of the Flathead sailed into Dayton on the west shore of Flathead Lake on Saturday, Sept. 7, for Dayton Daze. They stomped ashore in search of plunder – namely Deano’s lemonade, grog, sea dogs, and a day of community fun, games, and music.

And a scurvy lot of one-eyed, peg-legged scoundrels they were, too, sporting bandanas, gold earrings, eyepatches and cutlasses. Parrots were scarce, however. 

The pirate invasion was to benefit the Chief Cliff Volunteer Fire Department and the Chief Cliff Fire Support members. Doubloons came in handy to give a donation to these hard-workin’ groups, to buy some 50/50 tickets, or to purchase tickets for the “musket” being raffled off – a Henry Big Boy Brass 357 magnum/38 special.  

Grog of all kinds was available at the Chuck Wagon Bar and Grill, as was a taco bar, appetizers, and live music beginning at 4 p.m. Grog, soft drinks and free sea dogs kept visitors and pirates fed at Dayton Park.

Vendors sold all sorts of pirate plunder including birdhouses, wooden bowls, lots of sparkly jewelry, clothing, kettle corn and lemonade from the Chuckwagon to Dayton Park. The Dayton Yacht Club offered sailboat rides and Dayton Church had tempting baked goods, food and crafts. Neighboring communities Lake Mary Ronan and Camp Tuffit joined in the merriment with food and music.

Those rascally pirates even scared up folks for a parade, the traditional twice-around the town sojourn. This year, the parade marshall was none other than Nancy “Storm” Riggio, Queen of the Flathead Pirates, accompanied by her grandson, Scar Face Schaff, and her dog, First Matey Jack. Parade judges were Christine Moore, Lucy Carlson, and Rick and Tracy Breckinridge. 

Music at the Chuck Wagon included Achilles Maroney, The Banned and Red Hawk. People were dancing and visiting into the night. 

    Boys await the launch of the annual Dayton Daze parade. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
  

    Adoptees from the Kalispell Animal Shelter came to Dayton Daze to encourage people to adopt fluffy friends. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)