A patgo (also spelled padgo, pad-gaud, and other variants) was a Pensacola tradition dating back to the Spanish era. It was similar to the Old World sport of "popinjay" wherein participants take turns shooting at an artificial bird atop a pole.
In a letter dated November 22, 1822, U.S. Major General George A. McCall provided an account of a patgo he witnessed, hosted by Juan de la Rua at his estate (Gull Point) overlooking Escambia Bay: