Pirates-to-be learn ‘olde’ seafaring lifestyle

Amid the throngs of double-wide strollers weaving through numerous booths peddling digital scrapbooks and organic food choices at Kids Faire Saturday and Sunday at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, a small band of buccaneers awaited young travelers to pass on a bit of their knowledge.

Yes, pirates.

The Port Royal Pirates, a crew of Southern California residents, pride themselves on their ability to get the kids interested in “ye olde” seafaring lifestyle without scaring youngsters off.

While costumed characters like Hip Hop Harry and Barney sang songs to toddlers about brushing teeth and washing hands before and after meals, the Port Royal troop showed kids how to write with a quill, balance themselves while raising a sail at sea, and even introduced them to a few rats.

The group keeps a brood of pet rats for added realism and to show kids rats aren’t all bad. Named Port, Starboard, Pewter, Bass and Guinness, these five rats are as loved as the family dog among the bunch, said Erik Berlinger or Capt. Red Tar when in costume.

The name “comes from an old fable I made up” Berlinger said. In the tale, a pirate mixes his blood with the tar used to seal a ship, truly making him a brother of the vessel.

“Pirates help create the world we live in,” said Gail M. Selinger, author of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Pirates.” Selinger teaches children the different inks and techniques used in writing with a quill.

“There are some good pirates and bad ones,” said Maddy Wolf, 7, of Corona who came to the pirates mini tent city covered in pirate tattoos, painted on scars and, of course, an eye patch.

These sailors were not the only exotic visitors, as Star Eco Station gave children the chance to chat with a 65-year-old parrot or pet a python.

Many of the girls made a stop at the Princess Pavilion for makeovers. Plus many of kids’ favorite characters, like Strawberry Shortcake, made appearances on and around the stages, singing songs and posing for photographs with the kids. Also making appearances were Ronald McDonald, the Care Bears, Cabbage Patch Kids, Ma and Pa Berenstain Bears, Spongebob Squarepants, and Shrek.

KELLY STRODL may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or at kelly.strodl@latimes.com.