<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The 59th annual Contraband Days Louisiana Pirate Festival will run April 28-May 8 along the Lake Charles lakefront.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Tab Finchum, festival president, said this year’s event will include a larger camping area, along with a 23-foot replica of the Titanic.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Entertainment this year will include City Heat, the Barbe and St. Louis show choirs, Backyard Cowboys, Louisiana Bad Habit, Bag of Donuts, Dean Manning, Wayne Toups, Cupid, and Ron Fruge and family.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">There will be a wolves exhibit, firefighter challenge, fireworks shows, a pirogue-building contest and an amateur baking contest.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The Lake Charles Power Squadron will hold its Show Me Your Dinghy Contest on April 30. Captains of all seaworthy vessels 17 feet and under are encouraged to decorate in a theme of their choice. T-shirts will be given to the first 30 captains and crew who register and participate. To register, call Bobby Soileau at 304-2864.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">In conjunction with Family Night on May 5, the Buccaneers of Lake Charles will have a children’s pirate costume contest. Age groups are 0-3, 4-7 and 8-12. There is no entry fee; all contestants will receive a goody bag. For more information, call Dawn McDonough at 853-3588.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The boat parade will be on May 7. Local boats, decorated to fit the pirate theme, will pass by the seawall. The most festive boat with the most energetic crew will win first prize and bragging rights for the next year. </span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The Lake Charles Yacht Club will hold its Contraband Regatta on May 7. The races will be governed by the rules defined in current Racing Rules of Sailing. Registration is $20. For more information, call Ship to Shore at 474-0730.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">For more information on Contraband Days, including a full event schedule, visit www.contrabanddays.com.</span><p>(Special to the American Press)</p>