Events in the Florida Keys

Fantasy Fest

The grandaddy of all events takes in Key West, and is called Fantasy Fest. Nothing is more eagerly awaited than the opening of Fantasy Fest each October. This Halloween celebration combines elements of Mardi Gras and the Miami club scene, resulting in a wild party filled with costumes, parades, and rum runners (Captain Morgan sponsors). Parades of brightly-bedecked revelers flow down Duval and Whitehead Streets while other celebrants toss beads from balconies. You’ll have to make reservations far in advance for this party.

The Pirates in Paradise Festival takes over Key West’s historic seaport and Fort Zachary Taylor State Park & Beach and celebrates the official end of the hurricane season. Spanning November & December, this melee of pirate ships and buccaneers culminates in the Fort Taylor Pirate Feast & Shipwreck Ball. Other events include a pirate market, maritime art exhibits, a writer’s workshop, historic re-enactments, and more.

The Island Jubilee, also in November, is an arts & crafts festival in Key Largo’s Harry Harris Park. Live musical and theatrical performances.

The Key West Literary Seminartakes place each January, and features panels, readings, and literary parties (this is Key West, after all!). There's a theme each year, and the participants are respected members of their fields. Past themes were Travel Writing and Biography. They also sponser a Writer's Walk, which is a guided tour of famous literary sites in Key West. It's about a one-mile walk.

Other annual events include the Birding & Wildlife Festival in October, Florida Keys Jazz and Blues Festival (in April on Plantation Key, and in October on Islamorada), and the Florida Keys Heritage Festival in January. Marathon even sponsors a Florida Keys Renaissance Faire on Sombrero Beach in January. Don’t miss the daily Sunset Celebrations held at Mallory Square in Key West.

Key West also sponsors the Hemingway Days Festival in July. In the spirit of the Ernest Hemingway that Key West knew and loved, there are arm-wrestling contests, costume parties, and short-story competitions. Of course there's the Papa look-alike contest, where white-bearded man over a certain age show up and do their best to look Hemingway-like. The costume parties encourage people to dress up as Hemingway charaters...Key Westers love to dress up!

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2/2/2012 Sanctuary Friends in Focus Lecture Series Martin Moe, a renowned local author and aquarist, for a discussion on Florida spiny lobster. These lobster support one the most important commercial and sport fisheries in Florida. He'll teach about the life cycle of this complex crustacean and you can find out why the tale of the spiny lobster is more than just "a tail." Social starts 6:30, lecture from 7-8 p.m. at the Marathon Power Squadron Education Building, 2011 Loggerhead Lane, behind Panda House restaurant (52nd St).

2/3/2012 - 2/4/2012 Cuda Bowl Shallow water flats anglers and guides are invited to hook-up and fight their barracuda rivals. Event is to be headquartered at Hurricane Hole Marina, Stock Island. Prizes are to be awarded for top angler and guide in light tackle spin and fly divisions, including a substantial gift certificate to Hurricane Hole Restaurant & Bar plus a trophy. Entry fee is $250 for one angler, $300 for two anglers.

2/3/2012 - 2/5/2012 Islamorada Women’s Sailfish Tournament In this light-tackle challenge, awards await the grand champion team (boat), first runner-up and second runner-up team, captain and mate, as well as those recognizing the high-point angler, outstanding catch, largest tuna, dolphin and kingfish, most tagged sailfish and hard luck. Proceeds help breast cancer research.

2/3/2012 - 2/15/2012 "Journey" with Fran Decker: New Paintings at Frangipani Gallery Come take a "Journey" with Fran Decker through her newest paintings at Frangipani Gallery February 3-15. Stop by and meet Fran at a reception from 6-9 pm at Frangipani, 1102A Duval the night of the First Friday Art Stroll on Upper Duval. Fran Decker invites the viewer on a journey through the Florida Keys. We'll start with an overview of our island home, visit some mangroves in the back country at night and at dawn, then head into town to visit some favorite haunts like No Name, Sarabeth's an

2/4/2012 - 2/5/2012 Florida Keys Art Guild, Art Festival From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, enjoy a weekend of local and national artisans on display at Lorelei Resort, mile marker 82.

2/4/2012 - 2/5/2012 Race the Keys: Bogey and Bacall Classic Paddle Festival The Bogey 13.2 mile is a scenic race-course for single & double kayaks, surf skis. outrigger canoes and canoes that loops through mangrove creeks and across the open bay water of Blackwater Sound. The start and finish point will be from the shoreline of Florida Bay Outfitters. Cost is $45 per race or $60 for both days until Jan. 17; after Jan. 17, registration is $55 per race and $70 for both race days. Visit website for details.

2/5/2012 Super Sunday Spectacular From noon to 5 p.m. at Big Pine Key's Watson Field, Key Deer Blvd. at MM 30.5, enjoy an island-style Super Bowl alternative, enjoy the Super Sunday Spectacular presented by the Big Pine & Lower Keys Rotary Club. Attractions include music, food, fun and kids' games, Admission is free.

2/6/2012 - 2/9/2012 Watercolor Painting Workshop Internationally known artist/instructor Tony Couch is to conduct a watercolor painting workshop at the San Pablo Church, MM 53.5, daily from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Presented by the Florida Keys Watercolor Society, sessions begin each morning at 9 a.m., following Couch as he works on a painting, explaining his process as he paints. Students paint in the afternoons, whose work Couch will critique, including his own. An optional slide show/lecture on the principles of design - including color and compos

2/6/2012 Waterfront Playhouse presents: Behind the Scenes Get a free backstage tour of the Waterfront Playhouse with Artistic Director (Danny Weathers) and Technical Director (Michael Boyer). See the magic that happens "behind the scenes." Wine and light hors d'oeuvres served. Admission is free but reservations are required. Event time 6 p.m.

2/7/2012 - 3/10/2012 Red Barn Theatre presents: God of Carnage Great comedy, bad manners. This Broadway smash hit is a ninety-minute thrill ride that takes you into the most dangerous place on earth: parenthood. A civilized discussion over a playground fight becomes a rumble in the living room between two couples. Crackling wit and raucous physical comedy abound in this production of grownups behaving badly. Visit website for show times and tickets.

2/9/2012 Sanctuary Friends in Focus Lecture Series Enjoy a fast-paced satire of the 1950s travelogues, exploring the unconventional island with honesty and humor. Hear the natives tell about life, death, art, architecture, tourists and sex drive in the tropics! Social starts at 6:30 p.m., film presentation 7-8:30 p.m. at the Marathon Power Squadron Education Building, 2011 Loggerhead Lane, behind Panda House restaurant (52nd St gulfside).

2/10/2012 - 2/12/2012 Civil War Days Heritage Festival Colorful Civil War re-enactments and tours of Key West's historic Civil War-era Fort Zachary Taylor highlight the journey into the island's past.

2/11/2012 - 2/12/2012 18th Annual Pigeon Key Art Festival Held at the Marathon Community Park, MM49, from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Admission fee $7 per adult, 12 and under are free. Free parking; kids corner, free hourly t-shirt drawings, food vendors, live music and silent auction.

2/12/2012 Impromptu Classical Concerts presents: Marina Lomazov Marina Lomazov, returns to Key West as an Impromptu Classical Concerts' featured guest at St. Paul's Church. Performance starts at 4 p.m. Ukranian-American Lomazov has established herself as one of the most passionate and charismatic performers on the international concert circuit. Tickets are $20, free for ages 19 and under. Purchase in advance at classicalconcertskw.com or on the day of the concert, at St. Paul's church door located at Duval and

2/13/2012 Florida Keys Concert Association presents: Marina Lomazov Praised by critics as "a diva of the piano" and "a mesmerizing risk taker," Ukranian-American pianist Marina Lomazov has established herself as one of the most passionate and charismatic performers on the concert scene today. Tickets $30, purchased at the door. Seasonal tickets available for $85 general admission and $150 preferred seating; visit website for details. Performance takes place at the San Pablo Catholic Church of Marathon, 550 122nd St. oceanside, off U.S. Highway 1 at mile marker 5

2/14/2012 Wesley House Family Services presents: 29th Annual Valentine’s Day Gala From 6:30-9:30 p.m., on the grounds of the historic Curry Mansion Inn, 511 Caroline St., in Key West. Starring Master of Ceremonies Howard Livingston, music and dancing with Raven Cooper and Honey Mouth, a world-class dinner buffet, open bar and the island's largest and most anticipated annual silent auction. General admission $40 in advance, $50 at the door; limited VIP seating $90. All proceeds benefit Wesley House Family Services. Tickets available at KeysTix.

2/16/2012 Morada Way Arts & Cultural District presents: Third Thursday Art Walk Showcasing the fine arts, music and culinary nuances of the Purple Isles, the Morada Way Arts & Cultural District features national and local artisans who are showcased in galleries at Morada Way between mile marker 81 and 82 - formerly named Industrial Road - as well as "culinary art" and live music from 6-10 p.m. In addition to individual artists, participating galleries include the Redbone Gallery, Gallery Morada, Pasta Pantaleo Signature Gallery and Bluewater Potters. Free admission. Art Wa

2/17/2012 - 2/18/2012 52nd Annual Key West House & Garden Tour Tour a series of elegant and unique homes of Key West. Proceeds help benefit the Old Island Restoration Foundation. Presented by the Old Island Restoration Foundation, this house and garden tour offers a rare opportunity to see inside some of Key West's magnificent, charming and tropical residences.

2/18/2012 - 2/20/2012 Florida Keys Art Guild, Art Fest at Waldorf Plaza Thirty-plus local and national artists are to be on display with items ranging from fine jewelry, sculpture, paintings, photography and fine crafts. A free event, open to the public, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

2/18/2012 - 2/19/2012 Gardenfest Key West South Florida's top nurseries are to show bromeliads, orchids, fruit trees, palms, tropical flowers and natives at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden's annual plant sale. Other attractions include landscaping workshops, garden supplies booths, and arts and crafts and docent tours.

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