Jan 16 - Apr 16 : Sculpture Key West. This stunning art exhibit showcases the work of leading contemporary sculptors at West Martello Tower, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical
Garden. www.sculpturekeywest.com (305) 295-2800
Jan 18 - Jan 22 : Premier Racing presents The Key West Race Week 2010. Nearly 300 racing yachts compete for class championships in this international midwinter sailboat regatta. www.premiere-racing.com (781) 639-9545
Jan 21 - Jan 23 : Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament. In this all-release tournament, anglers fish for the mighty sailfish in waters surrounding the region known as the Sportfishing Capital of the World. The tournament is an official event of the World Billfish Series, Southeast Division. Contact: Liz Hill (305) 451-5094
Email: presidentialsailfishtournament@cheeca.com
Jan 24 : Key West Pops Orchestra presents: My Fair Lady www.keywestpops.org (305) 296-6059
Jan 25 - Jan 26 : Captain Al Flutie Over the Hill Sailfish Tournament. Anglers ages 50 and over are challenged to catch and release the most sailfish. Contact: Bill Kelly (305) 394-5333 Email: redboneinc@aol.com
Jan 28 - Jan 31 : Key West Food & Wine Festival. Top chefs and restaurateurs showcase their culinary creativity and the Keys’ indigenous cuisine in a tasty schedule of events for food lovers. Attendees also can participate in food-related adventures during the savory celebration. www.keywestfoodandwinefestival.com (305) 292-1622
Jan 31 : Master Chef Classic. Local restaurants vie for top honors in three categories; appetizers, entrees and desserts. Participants get to taste all the food made at this event while judges pick the winners. Location to be at Westin Hotel in Key West. Tickets available Jan. 8. Benefits MARC House programs. (305) 294-9526, ext 25.
February
Feb 12 - Feb 14 : Civil War Heritage Festival. Re-enactments, military parades & sea battles with schooner ships await this unique historical event. (305)-292-6850
Feb 19 - Feb 21 : Gardenfest Key West. South Florida’s top nurseries will show bromeliads, orchids, fruit trees, palms, tropical flowers and natives for the Botanical Gardens’ annual plant sale! Attend landscaping workshops, learn how to build your own native garden, browse through garden supplies booths, and arts and crafts. Docent tours will be offered. Plant sale is free and open to the public. Gates open 9 a.m. (305) 296-1504 Email: KWBGS@kwbgs.org
Feb 20 - Feb 21 : Mrs. Truman’s 125th Birthday Celebration. This commemoration of the birthday of former first lady Bess Truman includes a speakers’ forum to introduce presidential grandchildren. It also spotlights the Little White House where former president Harry Truman spent nearly six months of his presidency. (305) 294-9911
Feb 25 : Friends of the Key West Library Bi-annual Fund Raiser. A catered affair with entertainment, to be held at the Studios of Key West, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., cost $100 per person. Call for details. Contact: Brewster Chamberlin 305-293-0713 Email: smithchamberlin@aol.com
Feb 26 - Feb 28 : 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. (305) 292-6850
Feb 27 - Feb 28 : Old Island Days Art Festival. The 45th annual juried fine art show is set on lower Whitehead Street in historic Old Town. The highly acclaimed show features oil paintings, watercolors, sculpture, photography and other offerings by artists from around the United States. (305) 294-1241
March
Mar 01 - Apr 30 : Migration Mania at Key West Botanical Gardens. Join us for a months-long celebration of the wonders of migration. Presentations for the entire family will feature live animal shows, seminars, birding tours, and much more. Private docent tours available by appointment. Check Web site for details. www.keywestbotanicalgarden.org (305) 296-1504
Email KWBGS@kwbgs.org
Mar 06 : 48th Annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest. An Old Island Days tradition, this unique contest features novel sounds produced by contestants in several age categories as they attempt to make “music” on fluted conch shells. Contest located in the garden of the Oldest House, 322 Duval Street. (305) 294-9501
Mar 06 : Key West Pops presents "Pianomen" : Six world-class pianists yearning to share their souls through their playing make for an evening of true musical adventure. Showtime 7:30 p.m., Tennessee Williams Theatre, 5901 College Road. Tickets $20, $40 and $60. (305) 296-6059
Mar 07 - Mar 13 : Cuban Cultural Exposition & Hot Havana Nights. Celebrate Cuba Week finishes with the hottest event of the year, March 13. This annual event has returned to the Garden with the sounds of Havana Soul; enjoy mojitos, authentic Cuban food, original Cuban art, live auction and more. This HOT benefit always sells out so make your reservations early. VIP Seating: $125, General Admission $100. Starts 7 p.m. (305) 296-1504
Email: KWBGS@kwbgs.org
Mar 12 - Mar 13 : Key West Fishing Tournament Kick-Off. Targeting multiple species, this annual challenge starts a season-long tournament that awards certificates for outstanding catches and prizes in a host of categories. Contact: Doris Harris (305) 295-6601 Email: director@keywestfishingtournament.com
Mar 13 - Mar 14 : 34th Annual Original Marathon Seafood Festival. Gourmet delicacies from the waters of the Florida Keys highlight this annual event at Marathon Community Park, mile marker 49 ocean side. Sponsored by Organized Fishermen of Florida and Marathon Chamber of Commerce. (305) 743-5417
April
Apr 04 : Underwater Easter Egg Hunt. The Easter bunny hosts this annual underwater egg hunt off Key Largo to benefit Kids in Special Situations, a local charity for needy children. (305) 451-3020
Apr 10 - Apr 17 : The Bubbafest Bike Tours. New in the Florida Keys, join a biking and resort camping experience, from Key Largo to Key West. Lodging, meals and plenty of sunshine, scenery and memories included. Event limited to first 125 participants. Contact: Bubba (321) 759-3433 www.bubbafestbiketours.com Email: bikerbubba@aol.com
Apr 16 - Apr 25 : 28th Conch Republic Independence Celebration. Parades, bed races, parties and a wacky “drag race” commemorate the founding of the Conch Republic on April 23, 1982, in response to a U.S. Border Patrol roadblock that halted traffic in and out of the Florida Keys. www.conchrepublic.com (305) 294-2298
Apr 17 : 29th Annual Seven Mile Bridge Run. An estimated field of 1,500 runners to participate in the annual foot race across the longest segmental bridge in the world. Sponsored by the Marathon Runners Club. (305) 395-7040
Apr 19 : 15th Annual Taste of Key West. Scores of area restaurants present mouthwatering samples of their cuisine to benefit AIDS Help Inc. The culinary celebration takes place at the Truman Waterfront overlooking Key West Harbor. (305) 296-6196
Apr 24 - Apr 25 : Marathon Boat Show. The first annual boat show is to feature new and used boats, personal water-craft, ATVs, motorcycles, cars, trucks, SUV and electric vehicles on display. Also activities for the kids, food, drinks plus a live band on Saturday. Free admission. Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Apr 28 - May 02 : Key West Songwriters’ Festival. The 15th-annual showcase of musical magic features America’s foremost performing songwriters, with concerts staged in intimate, audience-friendly island settings. www.kwswf.com (305) 304-0814
May
May 14 - May 16 : Marathon Super Boat Grand Prix. World-class, high-speed powerboats compete in the waters surrounding Marathon and the historic Seven Mile Bridge in the Middle Keys. (305) 296-6166
May 21 - May 22 : Harry S. Truman Legacy Symposium (305) 294-9911
May 29 - Jun 06 : Pridefest Key West 2010: Diversity In Paradise. Event honoring diversity, openness and freedom in the city that is consistently recognized as one of the world’s top gay and lesbian vacation destinations. www.pridefestkeywest.com (305) 292-3223
June
Jun 12 : The Original FKCC Swim Around Key West. Sponsored by the Bone Island Masters Club, this USMS-sanctioned event is a 12.5 mile swim clockwise around the island of Key West. Age groups 18 through 65 and older can register. www.swimaroundkeywest.com Contact: Lori Bosco (305) 809-3562 Email: aqualb@aol.com
July
Jul 15 - Jul 18 : Mel Fisher Days. Mel Fisher’s family and friends celebrate the legendary salvers accomplishments, unquenchable optimism and zest for life with a festival of events. www.melfisher.org (305) 296-6534 Email: skwiley@melfisher.com
Jul 20 - Jul 25 : Hemingway Days. The 30th celebration of the legendary author’s work and lifestyle features literary readings, a theatrical premiere,short story competition, fishing tournament, Sloppy Joe’s Look-Alike Contest and a pre-birthday “party” commemorating Ernest’s July 21st birthday. (305) 296-2388 (Look-Alike); (305) 294-0320 (literary)
Aug 6 - Aug 7 : Publix Family Fitness Weekend & Florida Sprint Triathlon Series. 5K Run/Walk at Publix. This is a family fitness event. www.familyfitnessweekend.com
September
Sep 07 - Sep 12 : Womensfest Key West. This week long celebration / lesbian-oriented festival features various parties, art shows, sailing and snorkeling, comedy performances and other activities. (800) 535-7797 or (305) 294-4603
Sep 10 - Sep 11 : S.L.A.M. Southernmost Light Tackle Anglers Masters Celebrity Tournament. In the first of the annual fall Redbone Trilogy events that raise money to fight cystic fibrosis, top anglers and celebrities target tarpon, permit and bonefish with light tackle. Contact: Gary Ellis at (305) 664-2002 Email: redboneinc@aol.com .
Sep 16 - Sep 19 : 38th Annual Poker Run. 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. (800) 545-2561 or 877-MIAMI-HD
October
Oct 15 - Oct 16 : Casting for Cats. This one-day ladies’ all-tackle backcountry tournament raises money for local charities. Contact: Sharon Mahoney Ellenwood (305) 393-6174 Email: sharellen@netzero.net
Oct 22 - Oct 31 : Fantasy Fest 2010 “Habitat For Insanity”. 2009 saw just under 70,000 people in town for this amazing event. www.fantasyfest.net
November
Nov 4 - Nov 7 : Parrotheads In Paradise:19th Annual Meeting of the Minds www.phip.com
Nov 07 - Nov 14 : 30th Annual Key West World Championship Powerboat Races www.superboat.com/
December
Dec 10 - Dec 11 : Historic Lighted Inn Tours. Visit a variety of beautifully decorated historic inns. The tours include creative offerings by local inn owners, chefs, artists, writers and performers. (305) 295-1334
THESE DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. FOR INFORMATION ON ADDITIONAL EVENTS, FISHING TOURNAMENTS, SYMPHONY, THEATRE AND MUSIC PERFORMANCES—OR SCHEDULE CHANGES—CONTACT THE KEY WEST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AT 1-800-LASTKEY, OR VIEW THE EVENTS CALENDAR ONLINE AT WWW.KEYWESTCHAMBER.ORG
