Here there be Pirates matey! No, it's not the set of the latest Pirates of the Carribbean film -- it's Corpus Christi in the midst of an annual pirate invasion. That's right, each and every year an invading group of pirates storm the coastal city of Corpus Christi from the sea and demand the surrender of the City from the standing Mayor. Dozens of pirate queens land in the Corpus Christi Yacht Basin where the city's head political leader is expected to turn over the town to the marauders and raise the skull and crossbones flag. Sound odd? Well, they call it Buccaneer Days, and it's an annual celebration held in honor of the citys' founding.  This year's event gets under way April 25th and runs through May 6th. Frivolity fills the city for nearly a month with parades, rodeos, music festivals, carnivals, Mariachis competitions, BBQs, childrens events and more. In fact, this year The La Gloria Tall Ship is returning to the city to join in the celebration. La Gloria made her debut last June in Corpus and is the pride of the Columbian Navy. It is her 23 sails, four masts, polished wood and brass that give it a historical ambiance and her presence on the bay front gives Corpus an even more elegant look reminiscent of the time of pirates and privateer navies that sailed the adjacent Gulf waters. The Birth of Buc Days It was in 1519 that a Spanish explorer, Alonzo Alvarez de Piñeda, discovered Corpus Christi Bay. Three hundred years later, in 1838, a trading post was established overlooking Corpus Christi Bay and named Kinney's Trading Post, after its founder, Colonel Henry Lawrence Kinney. It was not until 1852 that the trading post became an incorporated city and was named Corpus Christi, meaning "The Body of Christ". Buccaneer Days was held for the first time in June of 1938 and the initial three-day celebration was centered around the discovery and naming of Corpus Christi Bay by the Spanish explorer, Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda. That first Buccaneer Days celebration in 1938 was a descendant of Splash Days celebrations that had been observed here for the previous 21 years. Apparently started in 1917, Splash Days consisted mainly of a bathing beauty contest on North Beach to signify the beginning of summer. By 1937, it had become a three-day event sponsored by merchants. However, most residents and participants in Splash Days felt the celebration lacked the glamour that the growing city of Corpus Christi deserved. In 1938 the first Buccaneer Days Commission was formed to plan a celebration emphasizing the beginning of the summer season. The Commission's primary objective was to add more glamour and excitement to the annual celebration by building the event around the city's history. Buccaneer Days Today One of the highlights of  Buc Days is the "Richest Little Rodeo in Texas." In April, well-recognized PRCA Cowboys will compete for the biggest Rodeo purse in Texas over the course of several nights. The Buc Day's Rodeo is one of only 25 PRCA tour rodeos and offers a great night of entertainment by the best cowboys of rodeo today. Also a favorite feature of the rodeo is watching future cowboys and cowgirls participate in their Mutton Bustin' and Calf Scramble contests! And, your Rodeo ticket gets you in free to the BBQ Challenge! BBQ is an integral part of Buc days with over three full days of all out sauce slinging, meat smoking, spice rubbing competition to enjoy. It's one of the best IBCA-sanctioned BBQ challenges in Texas, the aroma alone will drive you crazy. Top Country artists will be performing throughout the week featuring such notable talents as Mark Chestnutt,  Restless Heart, and Little Texas. There will also be Christian Rock and Hispanic music acts performing throughout the Festival. The grand celebration finale happens May 6 with the illuminated night parade that starts in Buc Stadium and progresses through the streets to the cheers of nearly a quarter-million spectators. Check the Buc Days web site for event times, ticket prices and general festival information. Enjoy the treasure of fun moments, great food , and comraderie at Buc Days. As Captain Jack Sparrow might remind us, "Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate!"