Hundreds of pirates took over downtown New Plymouth on Saturday for the annual Talk Like a Pirate Pub Crawl.

Beware ye landlubbers – sword-slinging pirates have taken to the streets of New Plymouth.

But don't worry, the group of salty sea dogs are just out to "fill the fine people of Taranaki with confusion and merriment".

The international Talk Like a Pirate Day is held on September 19 every year – but a growing group of pirate enthusiasts have decided to jump the gun and celebrate it earlier with a pub crawl in New Plymouth on the closest Saturday to the day.

ANDY JACKSON/STUFF Stand in organisers Morris West and Dan Brighurst said the annual Talk Like a Pirate Day Pub Crawl attracted more than 100 pirates this year.

"It's a talk like, move like, dress like a pirate day," event coordinator Morris West said.

READ MORE:

* Cheers and arrrs for pirates taking part in annual Talk Like a Pirate pub crawl

* Labour leader Jacinda 'Arrr-dern's' unexpected pirate encounter

"From what I know we're the only ones in the world that does it like this."

ANDY JACKSON/STUFF The pirate group take over at Peggy Gordons was one of 10 stops on Saturday.

Lads and lassies with eye patches, cavalier hats and slops (baggy trousers) yelled "aaaargh" as they played pirate-themed board and card games, such as "walk the plank" and "pirate snap", and shot toy pirates with a Nerf gun.

"If you don't shoot one, you got to skull your drink," West, who went by Captain Jack Kiwi, said.

A pirate flag pinata hung from Irish pub Peggy Gordon's and pirates swung their cutlasses (swords) to release lollies.

ANDY JACKSON/STUFF Caitlin Knofflock takes a swing at a pirate flag pinata - one of many themed games offered at the event.

"We have lollies that we hand out to the kids," West said.

As the crew of more than 100 walked between the 10 destinations in New Plymouth's centre city, perplexed passer-byes would laugh and take pictures.

People travelled from Otorohanga, Wellington, Auckland and even Australia to take part.

ANDY JACKSON/STUFF The pirate event welcomes families such as Amanda Bollond and 2-year-old Felix Anderson.

West said each pirate put in a varying level of effort when it came to costumes, with some going "absolutely overboard".

"We've got one guy who seems like he wants to see how many guns he can carry – he has 12."

As for West, he ditched the parrot on his shoulder for a kiwi in an All Black's jersey.

ANDY JACKSON/STUFF Captain Scar McCliff rallied his mateys for a game on the streets of New Plymouth.

"I call it 'my Barrett'," he said.

The celebration of pirate speak began in 1995 between two friends in the United States, who approached a columnist in 2002 for better publicity.

It has since become an international event – but New Plymouth's was certainly the best, West said.

"I think they (the creators) would be very proud of us," he said.

"Maybe we can get them to come join us some time."