Florida Keys – Key West Events in 2009
January 1st, 2009
Florida Keys – There’s always something happening in the Florida Keys & Key West, from festivals focusing on the area’s colorful history and quirky ambiance to events that celebrate the Keys’ underwater paradise. The Keys are Florida’s own little tropical paradise with something for everyone to enjoy. Here’s a list of annual events in the Florida Keys.
| July | September | October |
| November | December |
July
25th Annual Underwater Music Festival – Big Pine Key
July 11 – A quirky concert broadcast underwater for divers, snorkelers and the occasional mermaid emphasizes reef preservation. The submerged songfest is held at Looe Key Reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Call (305) 872-2411 or visit www.lowerkeyschamber.com.
Hemingway Days – Key West
July 21-26 – The 29th annual celebration of the legendary author’s work and lifestyle features literary readings, a short story competition, fishing tournament, Sloppy Joe’s Look-Alike Contest and more. A celebration will be held July 21 honoring Hemingway’s 109th birthday. Call (305) 296-2388 for look-alike events and (305) 294-0320 for literary events, or visit www.hemingwaydays.org.
Key Largo Food & Wine Festival
July 31 – Aug. 8: Set on an island known for its bountiful tropical fruit, fresh snapper, tuna, mahi-mahi, shrimp and lobster, the nine-day festival incorporates gourmet wine dinners with cultural specialties, feasts and fiestas, palate-pleasing adventures and wines from around the world. Call (305) 522-1300 or visit www.KeyLargoFoodandWineFestival.com.
September
WomenFest – Key West
Sept. 8-13 – This lesbian-oriented festival features art shows, sailing and snorkeling, comedy performances and other activities. For more information and updates, call
(800) 535-7797 or visit www.womenfest.com.
Phil Peterson’s Key West Poker Run
Sept. 17-20 – Motorcycle enthusiasts from around the U.S. are to travel the Keys’ scenic Overseas Highway from mainland Florida to Key West to raise money for charity. Stops are arranged throughout the Keys with a final celebration in Key West. Call (800) 545-2561 or visit www.petersonskeywestpokerrun.com.
Florida Keys Birding & Wildlife Festival – Marathon and Lower Keys
Sept. 23-27 – A celebration of the natural wonders of Florida wildlife takes place at the peak of the fall birding season. The event includes presentations and field trips focusing on education and conservation as they relate to Keys birds and wildlife, and an environmental fair. Call (305) 872-0774 or visit www.keysbirdingfest.org.
October
Key Largo Pirates Festival
Oct. 17-19 – Buccaneers and wenches can enjoy three days of piratical fun including a costume contest, walk the plank, rum tasting, booty hunt, pirate show, thieves market, underwater poker and more. Call (305) 394-3736 or visit www.keylargopiratesfest.com.
Goombay Festival – Key West
Oct. 23-24 – Held in Key West’s historic Bahama Village neighborhood, the lively Goombay is known for its island-style food, handmade African arts and crafts, nonstop live entertainment and dancing in the streets. Visit www.goombay-keywest.org.
30th Annual Fantasy Fest – Key West
Oct. 23 – Nov 1 – “Villains, Vixens and Vampires” is the theme for this outrageous 10-day celebration, which includes costume competitions, promenades, street fairs and a grand parade featuring marching groups and lavish floats. Call (305) 296-1817 or visit www.fantasyfest.net.
Underwater Pumpkin Carving – Key Largo
Oct. 26 – Divers become underwater artists as they turn pumpkins into Halloween masterpieces beneath the sea in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Call (305) 451-3595.
November
Key West World Championship Powerboat Race
Nov. 8-15 – High-speed powerboats continue Key West’s longstanding tradition in a challenge described as the Indianapolis 500 of powerboat racing. Call (305) 296-6166 or view more.
Pirates in Paradise 2009 – Key West
Nov. 29 – Dec. 7 – Historic Key West and Fort Taylor are transformed into a pirates’ stronghold with more than 150 pirate entertainers. Tall ships, sea battles, arts and crafts, pirate sails, a living history encampment and nonstop entertainment celebrate Key West’s maritime history. Call (305) 296-9694 or visit www.piratesinparadise.com.
December
Key West Holiday Parade
Dec. 5 – Local leaders, civic clubs and churches share their holiday spirit by parading through historic Key West. Call (305) 809-3700.
Island Art Festival: Art & Music in a Natural Key – Big Pine Key
Dec. 13 – The highlights of this holiday event include live music by local entertainers, food, exhibits and booths featuring locally produced arts and crafts. Festivities traditionally take place on the grounds of the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, MM 31 oceanside. Call (305) 872-2411.
Florida Keys Holiday Festival – Islamorada
Dec. (TBA) – This extravaganza traditionally begins with a tree-lighting ceremony at Founders Park, MM 87. Other attractions typically include a holiday parade featuring Santa himself, a holiday gift bazaar and a silent auction of ornaments decorated by local artists. Call (305) 664-4503.
Holiday Boat Parade – Key Largo
Dec. (TBA) – Each year, the waters of Blackwater Sound are to shimmer as decorated boats parade along the shoreline in celebration of the holiday season. Top spots for viewing and libations traditionally include Sundowners, Senior Frijoles, the Marriott Key Largo Bay Resort and Caribbean Club, MM 103-104. Call (305) 451-4502.
Key Colony Beach Lighted Boat Parade – Middle Keys
Dec. (TBA) – Christmas lights on outriggers and displays on boat decks are typically part of the beautiful festivities during the Key Colony Beach Boat Parade, set to begin at the 7th Street canal. Call (305) 743-7214.
Key West Lighted Boat Parade – Key West
Dec. (TBA) – Decorated and lighted boats are to cruise through Key West Harbor and the waters of the Historic Seaport. Musical guests are featured. This event is sponsored by Schooner Wharf Bar and Captain Morgan. Call (305) 292-3302.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks on Blackwater Sound – Key Largo
Dec. 31 – The back bay is the setting for the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks extravaganza hosted by Sundowners, Senior Frijoles, Cactus Jacks, Gus’ Grille at the Marriott Key Largo Beach Resort and the Caribbean Club, MM 103-104. Call (305) 451-4502.
Key West New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Dec. 31 – The Southernmost City celebrates with a “conch shell drop” at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, 201 Duval St.; the descent of a 6-foot red high heel shoe carrying drag queen Sushi at the Bourbon Street Pub/New Orleans House complex, 724 Duval St., and the descent of a pirate wench from the top of the mast of the tall ship Liberty Clipper in the island city’s Historic Seaport. Call (305) 296-2388, (305) 293-9800 and (305) 292-3302, respectively.
While this calendar lists selected highlights, a comprehensive and detailed schedule of 2009 events throughout the Keys can be found at www.fla-keys.com. All events are subject to change without notice.
