2023 –
2022 – John Branigin & Judy Outz
2019 – Kim Trammell & Jason Buelterman
sion Chair. Shiver me timbers! Did ye know that yar Buelterman was also a high school teacher at Johnson High? He has been known to be spotted off the ship on occasion, catching a wave, on what I can only assume is a pirate surfboard. Always a supporter and a sea rover at heart!
2018 – Frank & Karen Kelly

2017 – Steve & Bethany Kellam
2016 – Jodee Sadowsky & Charissa Murray
This year’s king and queen have been among us for many a year, often working behind the scenes and giving of their time, talents, and, frequently, even their own doubloons to help Tybee. Pour some grog and raise your glass to toast this year’s King Jodee Sadowsky and Queen Charissa Murray. A most fitting choice to lead all you wenches and swashbucklers in good-hearted pirate fun for 2016.
King Jodee has been the fearless leader of the World Breakfast Club for years and years. He felt the pull of the sand and the sea and found himself arriving on the shores of Tybee in 1983 where he and wife Cheryl would settle permanently and raise their own little pirates and build their successful business. An eggstraordinary adventure! Jodee’s involvement in what makes Tybee Tybee includes, among other things, being Big Kahuna of the wet and wild Beach Bum Parade back in 1999. The youngest Kahuna ever… and a Yankee to boot! Jodee and family are staunch Tybee supporters and go the extra mile, fathom, and knot to help any and all causes that benefit the island and its residents. If something needs doing or someone needs help, Jodee is the go-to guy. King Jodee comments that he really likes the fact that “this island can pull together to accomplish selfless acts of generosity of the first magnitude.” And in true swashbuckler fashion, Jodee can sail a boat, wield a knife, catch a fish, and then cook it for you.
Queen Charissa is of royal pirate blood and has been a part of Tybee’s ruling pirates since settling on the island at the young age of 12. Charissa’s mother, Paula, and her husband Paul were Tybee’s Pirate Queen and King in 2010. So, our little Pirate Princess now ascends the Pirate Queen’s throne. Charissa’s involvement with all things Tybee began when she first volunteered to help with the festival in 2006. She joined Tybee Fest, the festival’s creating group, as a full board member the next year and stayed on till its final year in 2011. Our Queen loves her pirates and her island and was the Chairman of Pirate Fest in 2010 and 2011. Charissa says she has worked every year of the festival in some manner or form even while nine months pregnant in 2014 with her second child. From decorations, vendors, and children’s activities to bars, she has done it all. Our queen is truly dedicated to bringing fun and festivities to benefit Tybee.
So wenches and buccaneers, landlubbers and sailors, let us pay homage to this year’s King Jodee and Queen Charissa. Grab yer cutlass, don yer best pirate attire, polish yer boots, bring yer doubloons ‘n’ pirate booty, and come one, come
2015 King Captain Black Bart Jarrell (Lannie Jarrell) & Queen Anastasia of the Isle o’ Tybee(Stacye Jarrell)
Greetin’s pirates, scoundrels, scallywags, & wenches, alike. Another season has passed and a new King & Queen must take the throne. Though many have pillaged & plundered, few have held these positions. After years of mastering Tybee’s waters & conquering Little Tybee’s beaches, Captain Black Bart Jarrell(Lannie Jarrell) & Queen Anastasia of the Isle o’ Tybee(Stacye Jarrell), have arrived to claim the honor of the 11th annual Tybee Pirate Fest King & Queen.
As with any well-run vessel, Tybee Island requires quite a large crew to keep r a float. That bein’ said, often one mate or another goes above & beyond to support their community. Every year, as the temperatures cool & fall approaches, Tybee recognizes two of these individuals by honoring them with the position of Tybee Pirate Fest King & Queen.
Both originally hail from different parts of Georgia, Lannie & Stacye both converged on our little island. Stacye arrived on the shores of Tybee for the first time as a young lass camping with her family. Seasons passed, and at the age of 21, she dropped her anchor & restored her first house. Lannie, growing up about 70 miles away, also traveled to Tybee throughout his early years. Being drawn to the sea, Lannie purchased a house, & chose to call Tybee his home. For many years, both lived upon our shores, often share many of the same shipmates, without ever meet’tn. In 1999, they crossed paths at Tybee’s oldest operating watering hole, Doc’s Bar. Wit’in the year, they became inseparable, & even went into business together. Oceanfront Cottage Rentals, named after the first property Stacye purchased in 1978, has grown to 105 beautiful properties located all over the Island. Years later, they embarked on an adventure & opened Tybee Island Wedding Chapel & Grand Ballroom, which has become a premier wedding venue in the state of Georgia. The Chapel has attracted visitors from all over the world and is also used for local fundraising events.
Lannie & Stacye have supported Tybee in so many ways it’s almost impossible to begin. From housing fundraisers for Tybee Island Maritime Academy & The Tybee Post Theatre, to promoting Tybee Island any way they can, we are lucky to have them. So, batten down the hatches & raise the sails. Come one, come all, & come join our Pirate King Captain Black Bart Jarrell & Pirate Queen Anastasia of the Isle o’ Tybee at the 11th annual Tybee Pirate Fest.
2014 – Greg Stoeffler & Belinda Flanigan
Weigh ye anchors and hoist the colors! Make way for The 10th Annual Tybee Pirate Festivals illustrious King and Queen, Dashing Gregorio Gustavo Desoto (Greg Stoeffler) and the Sauciest of Wenches Bella Bordeaux (Belinda Flanigan)! Last year these two friends were pillaging and plundering along the Ivory Coast (tis true and they have over 2,000 pictures to prove it) but now they are back in order to fill these exalted positions in true Tybee Island Style!
2013 – Keith Gay & Wanda Doyle
Each year a pair outstandin’ Tybee citizens be selected to fulfill ’tis esteemed position ‘n we be pleased to announce that th’ honor has gone to Keith Gay ‘n Wanda Doyle! Both ‘o these Tybee residents spend so much ‘o their time ‘n energy makin’ ‘tis island a fantastic place to visit ‘n an amazin’ place to live. We thank our King ‘n Queen from th’ bottom ‘o our hearts ‘n gunna be raisin’ our grog at th’ Pirate Fest to salute them both!
2012 – Mike & Iris Scarbrough
Our 2012 Pirate Fest King and Queen made their way to Tybee Island twenty years ago. From their cozy spot on Lazaretto Creek, the pair has helped the island grow into the destination it is today. This year, as the King and Queen of Pirate Fest, Captain Mike and Iris will enjoy the festivities from a completely new and pampered prospective. Please make sure to extend the royal greeting when you see them in the festival or down at the docks.
2011 – Joel Solomon & Susie Morris
In 2011, TybeeFest selected Joel Solomon and Susie Morris as the Pirate King and Queen. Joel Solomon is well-known on Tybee as the former owner of Café Loco (now Coco’s Sunset Grill) at Lazaretto Creek. This is where the Tybee Island Pirates first landed in 2005! Susie Morris and her husband Stuart Lyles are the proud owners of the Lighthouse Inn.
2010 – Paul DeVivo & Paula Morgan DeVivo
In 2010, TybeeFest selected Paul and Paula DeVivo as the Pirate King and Queen. They are well-known on Tybee as the owners of DeVivo Marketing, which includes the website for Tybee – “TybeeIsland.com”, and the publications: “Where to Eat at the Beach” and “Tybee Homes”. They were also founding members of Tybeefest and instrumental in starting the Tybee Island Pirate Fest. Their latest venture is in Pirate Fashions – BuccaneersBooty.com, attire for the well-dressed pirate and wench. So, if it’s treasure you seek, these two probably know where to find it!
2009 – Cullen Chambers & Amy Gaster
In 2009, TybeeFest selected Cullen Chambers and Amy Gaster as the Pirate King and Queen. Cullen Chambers is well-known on Tybee as the Executive Director of the Tybee Island Historical Society. Amy Gaster co-owner of Tybee Vacation Rentals is an active member of the island’s business community. and also serves as president of the Tybee Island Tourism Council.
2008 – Jimmy Price & Natalie Gordon
In 2008, TybeeFest selected Jimmy Price and Natalie Gordon as the Pirate King and Queen. Jimmy Price is well known on Tybee as the recently retired Chief of Police. Natalie Gordon can do up your do at Salon Isobe and also serves on the board of the Tybee Island Tourism Council.
2007 – Jiggs Watson & Bonnie Gaster
In 2007, TybeeFest selected Bonnie Gaster and Jiggs Watson as their Pirate King and Queen. Bonnie is a well-known real estate broker on Tybee Island for Prudential SE Coastal Properties. Jiggs owns Tybee Island Insurance and is the organizer of the wet and wild Tybee Island Beach Bum Parade. If you haven’t heard of it The Beach Bum Parade is an island-wide water fight parade that is held each May.
2006 – Gene Kindrick & Debbie Brady Robinson
In 2006, TybeeFest chose Gene Kindrick and Debbie Brady Robinson as their Pirate King and Queen. Gene was the longtime commander of American Legion Post 154 on Tybee Island. Debbie is a well-known local artist and owner of the Atlantic Beacon Gallery and Hall of Frames. Debbie also serves on the board of the Tybee Island Tourism Council.
2005 – Jack Flanigan & Jenny Orr
For the 1st Annual, Pirate Fest event organizers reached out to Jack Flanigan to be their Pirate King and Jenny Orr for Queen. Jack owns The Crab Shack, which is an incredibly popular seafood restaurant on the island known as “Where the elite plunder in their bare feet”. And yes, that is a real parrot he is holding in the picture. Jenny is the owner of Fannie’s restaurant on Tybee’s south end which directly borders the festival grounds and has a great view of all the action.