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Last year’s pirate-themed village display in front of a Manor Way home drew hundreds of onlookers.

Pirates established a beachhead last Halloween on Manor Way in Los Altos, occupying the entire front yard of Jill and Dane Glasgow’s Mediterranean-style home. And, they have been lying low since then – slumbering amid bones and treasures in a storage locker.

But they will be back in force this year, according to Dane, who is planning a new pirate village display with help from friends, neighbors and eBay co-workers.

Additions will likely include a new pirate ship with cannons, replacing last year’s 16-foot boat with its 15-foot mast and skeleton crew.

The display will also feature a new upscale village. This is Silicon Valley, after all, so the pirates will have a farmers’ market with produce and fish. Oh, and lots of rowdy pirates who will have a treasure cave to store their booty.

“A few favorites from last year will likely make a return visit,” Dane said. “But expect a few surprises.”

One big surprise last year was the hundreds of people who either walked or drove down the street to see the display, which looks like it’s straight out of Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean ride. At one time, Dane wanted to be a Disney imagineer.

The showcase will include special effects galore – smoke, cannon fire, thunder, lightning – with the “yo ho hos” of Disney’s “A Pirate’s Life for Me” rising above the din.

Last year, seeking inspiration for the pirate village, Dane conducted research online, reviewing theme parks around the country. Then he and Jon Langshaw of Santa Clara, formerly of Mountain View, developed the master plan. And the village took shape.

This year, they have improved it, learning to carve – and paint – Styrofoam so that the structures are lighter weight and easier to move and store.

“Just wait till next year,” Dane said.

The display is the Glasgows’ Halloween gift to the neighborhood. If passersby and trick-or-treaters wish, they can leave a gift of food or money for the Second Harvest Food Bank. The barrels for drop-offs will be available at their house Friday through Nov. 2.

“A huge thank you to everyone who contributed food or monetary donations last year,” Dane added.

The pirate village is scheduled nightly Friday through Oct. 31 on Manor Way between Fremont and Miramonte avenues.

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