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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9/3/2010 - 9/5/2010 Key West Brewfest More than 50 different kinds of beers and micro-brews are on tap at this first annual event, sponsored by Southernmost Hotel Collection and Key West Sunrise Rotary Club. Beer tastings, food and reggae rhythms round out the Labor Day Weekend activities.

9/4/2010 Matecumbe Historical Trust presents: Self-Guided Tour Start the Labor Day weekend at the Islamorada Hurricane Monument at 9 a.m. for a self-guided tour of historical points of interest. An informational tent is to be set up at the monument with guide maps and brochures, courtesy of the Matecumbe Historical Trust. Historic photos, 75th anniversary tee shirts and mementos to be available as well. Free and open to the public.

9/4/2010 Matecumbe Historical Trust presents: An Evening of Hurricane History This year marks the 75th anniversary of the 1935 hurricane, a historically significant event in the Florida Keys. Starting at 8 p.m. the Matecumbe Historical Trust is to show a video and display photos from the event. Survivors are to be present to share their experiences. Free and open to the public, event located at the Islamorada Hurricane Monument.

9/6/2010 Matecumbe Historical Trust presents: Annual Labor Day Service In memory of the civilians and veterans who perished in the 1935 hurricane, this annual service is to be held at 9 a.m. at the Islamorada Hurricane Monument. Hear from famed historian Irving Eyster, and the 1935 Hurricane Song written by Cris Foster from memories shared by Bernard Russell who lost many of his family in the event that helped shape Florida Keys history. A wreath is to be placed, followed by taps and the benediction. Free and open to the public.

9/7/2010 - 9/12/2010 Womenfest Key West This lesbian-oriented festival features art shows, sailing and snorkeling, comedy performances and other activities.

9/10/2010 - 9/12/2010 Robert James Sales S.L.A.M. Celebrity Tournament. Anglers target tarpon, permit and bonefish to compete to achieve a “flats grand slam.” This year, celebrity participants are to include Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Wade Boggs, New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays; NASA space shuttle astronaut Bruce Melnick; former Denver Broncos football player Mark Cooper and saxophone superstar Clarence Clemons. The $3,500 team entry fee includes two days of guided fishing with a celebrity.

9/11/2010 Lionfish Derby for Divers Teams of up to four divers can help capture and remove non-native lionfish from Keys waters in this unique spin on a fishing tournament. Derby divers who successfully remove lionfish from sanctuary waters are to be eligible for up to $10,000 in cash and prizes - more than $3,000 per derby. Headquarters, measuring and scoring to be held at Coconuts Restaurant, mile marker 100. Visit website for registration details.

9/13/2010 - 9/19/2010 First Annual Conchtoberfest An inaugural middle Keys event that is expected to be chock full of food, beverage, vendors, music and entertainment for the entire family. Local venues to be scheduled throughout Marathon, and weekend events at Hawks Cay Resort; all events open to the public.

9/14/2010 - 9/17/2010 Islamorada Invitational Fall Fly Bonefish Tournament Also referred to as the “Fall Fly,” this prestigious three-day test of skill and stealth challenges anglers to accrue points for both weight and release fish. Entry fee is $1,000 per angler, up to 25 maximum participants.

9/15/2010 History of Diving Museum presents: FREE Seminar Series This month's free seminar is to be given by Eric Smith, themed "Adventures in Underwater Exploration." Starts at 7 p.m. at Diving Museum, mile marker 83 in Islamorada. Immerse yourself in the fun!

9/16/2010 - 9/19/2010 Marathon International Bonefish Tournament Believed to be the longest running tournament in the Keys, this challenge awards more than 20 trophies and prizes to participants, including individual and team champions scoring the largest bonefish and permit, the top anglers in fly and grand slam divisions (for the top spin or fly angler who releases the largest bonefish, permit and tarpon “slam”), as well as the cheeky wet-pants champion titles for anglers wading from shore.

9/16/2010 - 9/19/2010 38th Annual Phil Peterson's Key West Poker Run It's an All-American event as motorcycle enthusiasts from around the U.S. travel the Keys' scenic Overseas Highway - designated Florida's only All-American Road - from mainland Florida to Key West to raise money for charity. Stops are arranged throughout the Keys with a final celebration in Key West. Register online today, or starting Sept. 1 at either of two Peterson's Harley dealerships, with just a $10 donation.

9/17/2010 - 9/19/2010 Take Stock in Children Backcountry Challenge Entering its 10th year, the challenge requires anglers fish for trout and redfish. Proceeds benefit both local Rotary scholarships and Take Stock in Children, a statewide scholarship program for children in seventh through 12th grades. Entry fee is $125 per angler, $70 for young anglers (kids and juniors are combined). New venue at the Upper Keys Sailing Club!

9/22/2010 - 9/26/2010 Florida Keys Birding & Wildlife Festival The peak of the fall birding season, this event includes an opening reception, dinner, presentations, Keys-wide field trips focusing on education and conservation as they relate to Keys birds and wildlife, and an environmental fair.

9/24/2010 Guided Walk at the National Key Deer Refuge - Ohio Key Special Event During Annual Birding Festival Join a guided refuge trail walk for birders and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. Meet at the National Key Deer Refuge Visitor's Center, located in the Winn Dixie shopping plaza. Participants caravan to the scheduled trail site, maps provided. Prompt departure at 8:05 a.m. for morning bird activity, so arrive early to get your bird-friendly, shade grown coffee or other beverages at nearby shops. Each walk will end by 11 a.m., or whenever bird activity drops off. Hat, sunscreen

9/24/2010 - 9/25/2010 ConchLife Scramble On-the-Water Golf Tournament Keys boating visitors can help ‘feed the fish while feeding Middle Keys charities’ during this wild and wacky on-the-water golf tournament. Proceeds benefit local Keys charities. Get a 4-person team together and enjoy a game of nine holes by boat!

9/25/2010 - 9/26/2010 Herman Lucerne Memorial Backcountry Tournament Up to 100 anglers compete for snook, tarpon, redfish, sea trout, snapper, bonefish and black drum against the backdrop of Everglades National Park. An overall grand champ prize is given to the individual or team who catches at least four of the seven eligible species. The angling challenge is also a qualifying event for the 2011 IGFA Inshore World Championship in Islamorada.

9/25/2010 Florida Keys Swordfest & Deep Drop Tournament A newcomer, this daytime-only boat tournament highlights fishing for swordfish and making a few drops for snowy grouper and tilefish. Anglers gather and see fish normally not seen on daily catches - as well as compete for a $2500 first place prize. Proceeds help local scholarship funds.

10/1/2010 - 10/3/2010 Mercury Baybone Celebrity Tournament The second of three tournaments in the annual Redbone Trilogy, the Baybone targets permit and bonefish to raise money for cystic fibrosis research. Among the celebrities who have fished recent Baybone tournaments are legendary angler Stu Apte, former Denver Bronco and Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mark Cooper, NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly and pitcher Tim Wakefield, who won a World Series ring with the Boston Red Sox in 2004. Two-person team entry fee $3,500.

10/6/2010 - 10/8/2010 Women’s Fall Fly Classic – Multiple Species Previously called the Women’s World Invitational Fly Championship Bonefish Series, the revamped challenge has anglers fishing for bonefish, redfish and snook. Entry fee $600 by Aug. 30.

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