Key West Attractions
Florida Keys & Key West Jan – March 2012 Event Highlights
FLORIDA KEYS — There’s always something happening in the Florida Keys & Key West, from festivals focusing on the area’s colorful history, artistic culture and quirky ambiance to events that celebrate the Keys’ underwater paradise. While this calendar lists selected highlights for 2012, a comprehensive schedule of events throughout the Keys can be found at
www.fla-keys.com/calendarofevents/.
Jan. 3: Orange Bowl Swimming Classic. Key Largo. Some of the best college swimmers in the country, and perhaps future Olympians, compete each year at Jacobs Aquatic Center, mile marker (MM) 99.6 oceanside, in a free-to-attend event that is part of the celebration surrounding the annual Orange Bowl college football game in Miami. Call 305-453-7946.
Jan. 5-8 (workshops Jan. 8-12): 30th Annual Key West Literary Seminar. Key West. The seminar’s 2012 topic is “Yet Another World: Literature of the Future,” offering workshops, panel discussions and receptions that feature some of today’s most innovative writers. Visit www.kwls.org or call 1-888-293-9291.
Jan. 6-7: Ragnar Relay Florida Keys Race. This 199-mile race takes runners throughout the Florida Keys to the southernmost island in the continental U.S. on a route beginning in Miami and ending in Key West. Visit www.ragnarrelay.com/race/floridakeys.
Jan. TBA: Fight Night in the Keys. Key West. The Key West boxing tradition, whose fans included legendary author Ernest Hemingway, is celebrated with action-packed, world-class professional boxing scheduled at Mallory Square overlooking Key West Harbor. Call 305-292-0486.
Jan. 13-15: NAMSA North American Championship & Tradewinds Midwinter OpenCat Nationals. Islamorada. Daily catamaran races featuring vessels in several classes kick off the annual Harken Buoy Series. Visit www.catsailor.com or call 305-451-3287.
Jan. 14: Art Under the Oaks. Islamorada. This art show at the San Pedro Church features arts and crafts in many mediums, as well as food vendors and live music. Visit www.artundertheoaks.com/ or call 305-664-5574.
Jan. 14: Florida Keys Seafood Festival. Key West. This family-oriented feast with fresh local Keys seafood, drinks, marine-related crafts, youth activities and live music is held at Bayview Park from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visit http://monroe.ifas.ufl.edu/environment/env_seafood_fest.shtml or call 305-872-9026.
Jan. 14: No Name Race. Big Pine & the Lower Keys. Join a 5k Walk & Run that benefits the Monroe County Domestic Abuse Shelter. The race begins at 8 a.m., covers 3.1 miles and is based at the Old Wooden Bridge Guest Cottages & Marina on Big Pine Key. Registration is $25 in advance, $30 on race day and $10 for children under age 15. Visit www.domesticabuseshelter.org or call 305-743-5452.
Jan. 14-23:…
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Key West Food and Wine Festival January 26-29, 2012
The third annual Key West Food & Wine Festival will be January 26-29, 2012. The Festival is set to turn up the heat in Key West.
Events range from extravagant walk-around tastings during our famous sunset, to educational wine and food seminars led by our local talent, to local funky events you would only expect to experience in Key West.
We are celebrating the culinary arts in this community which boasts such a rich food and drink heritage.Thus, an annual Key West Food and Wine Festival to be held Thursday, January 26 through Sunday, January 29, 2012!
We want you to enjoy our scrumptious restaurants, freshest seafood in the world, unique local ingredients, gorgeous weather and funky fun atmosphere.
We would like to invite you to Key West’s newest Party.
Products Food and Wine Festival
Email info@keywestfoodandwinefestival.com
Phone 1 800.474.4319
Website http://www.keywestfoodandwinefestival.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kwfwf
Taste of Key West
Taste Of Key West To Present Culinary Artistry
Now in its 17th year, the event is to feature dozens of local restaurants and caterers, as well as fine wines from around the world, in a one-night open-air benefit for Key West’s AIDS Help
| When: | Apr, 18 2012; | Where: | Event Type: | Things to Do in Key West |
Conch Shell Blowing Contest
50th Anniversary! The annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest, sponsored by the Old Island Restoration Foundation, celebrates the historic importance of the conch in the Keys. Free and open to children and adults of all ages, the Contest will be held March 3, 2012 at noon.
Watch enthusiastic contestants pucker up and demonstrate their shell-blowing talents. Sometimes called the Conch Honk, there is no cost to enter or to compete, and no experience is necessary. Conch shells are available for purchase for those who do not have their own.
This annual Contest celebrates the historic importance of the conch in the Keys, where the far-reaching sounds from conch shells were used by the Calusa Indians for communication, by sailors as fog horns, and by early Key West citizens to signal salvagers that a sinking ship was spotted offshore. The conch itself, a sturdy sea mollusk, is deeply entwined in the Key West heritage and tradition. As well as savoring conch meat in fritters and chowder, native-born islanders proudly call themselves Conchs (pronounced “Konk”). Their island home is known as the Conch Republic. Entrants are judged on the quality, duration and loudness, and novelty of the sound they produce. Mercifully, for most contestants, musical ability is not a requirement. The winners take home trophies; ribbons are awarded to those who take second place.
| When: | Mar, 03 2012; | Where: | Event Type: | Things to Do in Key West |
Anne McKee Artists Fund Auction
Nearly 100 artists are to exhibit and auction their work to raise money for the fund that provides project-based grants to Keys artists. Featured artwork includes original paintings, sculpture, photography, fiber art, ceramics, jewelry and more. Pieces are to be on display two weeks prior to auction, located at Fort East Martello Museum. Viewing begins at 7 p.m.; auction begins at 8 p.m
| When: | Feb, 04 2012; | Where: | Event Type: | Things to Do in Key West |
Key West Triathlon
The ultimate triathlon…destination Key West Fl where the December 3rd weather is great. Swim in the Atlantic Ocean, bike up the Overseas Highway and run along the Atlantic Ocean. To provide triathletes and beginning tris with the best weekend experience possible. http://trikw.com
| When: | Dec, 03 2011; | Where: | Event Type: | Things to Do in Key West |
Key West Poker Run
Motorcyclists from throughout the United States are to travel one of America’s most scenic highways to raise money for charity during the 38th annual Key West Poker Run.
Riders on up to 10,000 bikes are expected to traverse the Overseas Highway (U.S. Highway 1), the 113-mile roadway from mainland Florida to Key West that features 42 bridges and long vistas of breathtaking open water.
Entrants who draw the 10 best poker hands are eligible to play in a winner-take-all round of Texas Hold ‘Em, competing for a new Harley-Davidson 883 Sportster custom motorcycle. The action takes place at Cowboy Bill’s Saloon, 610 Duval St., at 11 p.m. Saturday.
| When: | Sep, 16 2011 to Sep, 19 2011. Sep, 16 2011 to Sep, 19 2011. | Where: | Event Type: | Things to Do in Key West |
Brewfest
2nd Annual Brewfest : More than 100 different kinds of beers and micro-brews are on tap at the second edition of this event that benefits the Key West Sunrise Rotary Club of the Conch Republic. On the festival’s agenda are beer tastings, parties a beer lunch, beer dinners, and brunches among other events. The highlight is the festival’s signature happening, the Brewfest Tasting Festival on South Beach Key West, at 1405 Duval Street, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3
| When: | Sep, 01 2011 to Sep, 05 2011. Sep, 01 2011 to Sep, 05 2011. | Where: | Event Type: | Things to Do in Key West |
SOUTHERNMOST BEACH CAFE
Southernmost Beach Cafe” is at the end of Duval St. just a block or so from the Southernmost point, great food and you’ll also have access to their beach.
Fall Discount Promotion
Take advantage of fantastic discount hotel rates at The Inn at Key West this fall. Our seasonal Key West discounts offer the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to a luxurious night away at a remarkable rate. [more...]
