The Chick-fil-A on Archer Road will be filled with small pirates Friday.
The restaurant will host a free pirate-themed party from 6 to 8 p.m. Family and friends are invited to bring their children ages 12 and under to join Chick-fil-A’s cow mascot, who will be dressed as a pirate named Bovine the Black, and participate in the activities of a pirate — one of Chick-fil-A’s corporate themes for children’s events.
"We’re adding a few things this year," Laura Wisener, the unit marketing director for the restaurant, said. She added the event is an extension of weekly family nights on Tuesdays.
Wisener said the little pirates will receive a map and a loot bag when they arrive. The maps will label the various stations, and the loot bags will be used to collect goodies. The party will have various stations — such as face painting — with prizes, meal coupons, free cookies and fruit punch for the kids. This year’s pirate party will also have a bounce house for kids 12 and under.
While the free treats station will be for children only, Wisener said everyone — including UF and Santa Fe students — is encouraged to dress up.
Wisener estimated this event costs Chick-fil-A about $400 to $500 in supplies, excluding the paid labor and additional staff the event requires. The core planning of the event began 4 to 5 months ago but has been on the store’s calendar for about a year, she said.
Payton Kotlarz, a 20-year-old UF biology junior, said she decided to check out the event after she saw some of her friends on Facebook were going. Kotlarz said she has been to Chick-fil-A spirit nights for various local schools over the past few years.
"I know that Chick-fil-A does a lot of these events with like outreach in the community, bringing family and friends together, you know, in like creative ways," she said. "I do a lot with kids, so I thought maybe this will be interesting."
