Ahoy, mateys! Seattle Seafair Pirates will be sailing their way into the Valley to pillage, plunder and cause a ruckus at Snoqualmie Railroad Days.

These scalawags, a volunteer group that parties in period costume to promote the Seafair festival, are bringing back one of the Valley’s very own: Captain Mike “Sparrow” Knowlton was born in Snoqualmie in 1960.

“We always loved coming up to the river toward the Falls,” Knowlton said.

Moving out of the Valley and into Kirkland, it was hikes, fishing and float trips that always brought him back to his roots.

A Seafair pirate for the past 11 years, Knowlton heard the request to have his crew of swashbucklers at Railroad Days and was not going to give up the chance for a visit.

“It’s captain’s choice,” he said. “You only get to do this once, so when it’s your year, you get to choose what you want to do.

“Snoqualmie and North Bend were right up my alley,” he said.

Grab your valuables, keep your children close and watch your back, because when you hear the boom of the cannon, you’ll know the Seafair pirate ship is sailing your way.

“Good time are sure to follow,” Knowlton said.