Arrrgh! Polish up on yer "pirate lingo" an' don't be a scallywag, or ye'll find yersef walkin' th' plank!

Make plans now to visit Park University's Parkville Campus on Thursday, Sept. 16, for the Park Pirate Family Fun Night. The event will be held on the "front lawn" of the University, located at 8700 NW River Park Drive in Parkville, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (In the event of rain, the event will be moved to the Intramural Field House and Fitness Center, adjacent to Breckon Sports Center.)

Attendees o' this free event be encouraged t' dress in pirate gear an' talk like a buccaneer. (Brush up on your pirate lingo here!)

In addition, check out the promotional video produced by "The Dread Cap'n Payne, rogue sociologist of the high seas" (also known as Kevin Payne, Ph.D., assistant professor of sociology at Park)

"International Talk Like a Pirate Day is a great way for pirates around the world, including at Park University, to celebrate our cool mascot," said Diana Boyd McElroy, Ph.D., dean of student life. "This year, we've planned this special Park Pirate Family Fun Night so all the young pirates in the community can join the fun."

The event, being held in celebration of International Talk Like a Pirate Day, will include a number of pirate-themed activities, including a pirate ship obstacle course (suitable fer big an' wee "sea dogs"), pirate caricatures and face painting, a pirate treasure hunt, sword fencing training (using foam swords), and photos with "Sir George," Park University's pirate mascot.

Check out our activities throughout the week, including:

• Monday---"Pirates of the Caribbean" movie at the Chapel lawn under the stars
• Tuesday---Pirate Skills Competition and Women's Volleyball Match
• Wednesday---Ultimate Pirate Frisbee
• Friday---Various student activities

In addition, the University's Rotaract chapter, a Rotary-sponsored service club, will sell hot dogs, drinks and cookies with all proceeds going to the "Kick Polio Out of Africa" campaign, co-sponsored by Rotaract International. Other University organizations will sell additional food and beverage items.

Also, while not an official part of the Park Pirate Family Fun Night, the University's Campus Activities Board is hosting the Makepeace Brothers in a free concert starting at 8 p.m. on the Parkville Campus. The concert is open to the public.

"The Dread Cap'n Payne" said that some people have the wrong impression about pirates. "Pirates are a misunderstood lot, an' International Talk Like a Pirate Day be a long overdue recognition o' our many contributions. So, me hearties, we're proud that Park University asks all swashbucklers everywhere t' show their pirate pride by studyin' hard, pillagin' responsibly, an' usin' random pirate lingo! Arrrgh!"

International Talk Like a Pirate Day was started in 1995 by Oregon friends John Baur and Mark Summers, who said that they started using pirate slang to encourage each other on the racquetball court, "for reasons we still don't understand," Baur said. "By the time our hour on the court was over, we realized that lapsing into pirate lingo had made the game more fun and the time pass more quickly. We decided then and there that what the world really needed was a new national holiday -- Talk Like a Pirate Day."

The "holiday" is annually celebrated around the world on Sept. 19. But since International Talk Like a Pirate Day falls on a Sunday this year, the University will host its event on Sept. 16.

For more information about the Park Pirate Family Fun Night or the University's activities surrounding International Talk Like a Pirate Day contact the Office of Student Life at studentlife@park.edu or (816) 584-6377.