Pirates gather in Cortland, and they aren't from Pittsburgh

CORTLAND — Despite today’s downpours, chilly temperatures and even hail, about 75 pirate re-enactors and vendors assembled at Greene Eagle Winery in Cortland for the annual Great Lake Pirate Gathering.

The event is normally in Columbus on the replica pirate ship Santa Maria, but this year the winery hosted the gathering because the ship is undergoing extensive restoration.

“This year’s festival is intended to raise money for the restoration,” explained Joseph McBride of Cortland, a pirate re-enactor who helped organize the gathering, which continues Sunday. “The weather has certainly put a damper on things, but we are optimistic that funds will still be raised.”

Linda Ketcham, executive director of the Santa Maria museum, said the ship needs extensive repairs that will likely cost just under $1 million.

For the complete story, read Sunday's Vindicator and Vindy.com