Seafair gets off to a booming and raucous start today with the Seafair Pirates Landing, with the fun starting early at 9:30 a.m. and running until 2 p.m. The actual pirates landing will occur at approximately noon near the Alki Bathouse at 1702 Alki Ave. s.w.. www.seafairpirates.org.

This is an event that every year sees thousands crowd the beach and entire Alki area so if you plan to go, go as early as you can and be prepared to park at some distance. Better yet, walk, run or bike down to the site or take the Water Taxi Shuttle bus.

Bus and shuttle connections

Two free Metro DART shuttles operate between local neighborhoods and the Water Taxi. Route 773 serves West Seattle Junction. Route 775 serves the Admiral District and Alki Avenue SW. You can find schedules for both of these routes on Metro Online by entering the route numbers under "Get a Timetable."

"Shelley and the Curves" will start the music at 11:00 am and kids and adults can test out their throwing arms on a new Dunk Tank.

Plenty of merchants will be on hand for beads, baubles and more too.

Clown's Unlimited will have their rides set up here (they are already in the kids area at Summerfest) and to play all day will cost $6 or two for $10.

The first 500 kids (beginning at 10:30am) will get a free toy pirate kit sponsored by Xfinity.Kids that come dressed in full pirate gear the can be part of a Pirate look-a-like contest to win prizes sponsored by the West Seattle Kiwanis.