Patgo

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:

It is an amusement of ancient origin, and even at the present time seems to be held in high esteem in pensacola. The preliminaries are conducted in this way: a few days before the entertainment is to take place, the Host, having procured the figure of a fine chicken cock, of large size, fashioned out of a tough knotty block of wood, through which passes vertically an iron rod, whereupon the figure lightly whirls about like a weathercock. He sends this emblem of the gallant bird, mounted upon a staff, by a gayly dressed servant to the houses of the invited fair ones; and each lady presenting a bunch of ribbons or a feather for his toilet, soon his varied honors floating from his sides clothe him with a plumage of the brightest dyes.

References

• George A. McCall. Letters from the Frontiers, 1868.