Conch Blowing Contest
Key West, FL -The 45th Annual Conch Shell Blowing contest, sometimes called the "Conch Honk," will be held at the Ocean Key House’s Sunset Pier, Zero Duval Street, Key West. The blowing affair begins at 1:30 and there is no cost to enter or to compete, and no experience is necessary. Conch shells will be "on hand" for those who do not have their own. Doesn't everyone have a conch shell?
Contestants can register for the event at the Mallory Square Museum on Mallory Square from 11:30 to 1pm the day of the event, or at the event itself. For further information, call 305.294.9501.
Each year the contest is a great success! Enthusiastic contestants, from children to seniors, polish their conch shells, pucker up, and demonstrate their shell-blowing talents, center stage of course!
This Annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest, sponsored by the Old Island Restoration Foundation, 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 Westers to signal salvagers that a sinking ship was spotted offshore.
The conch itself, a sturdy sea mollusk, is deeply entwined in Key West’s heritage and tradition. As well as savoring conch meat in fritters and chowder, native-born islanders proudly call themselves Conchs. 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 in the annual “conch honk.” The winners take home trophies; ribbons are awarded to those who take second place.
The afternoon festivities typically include demonstrations of the intricacies of this ancient and noble art, and conch shells are available for contestants to purchase. Entertainment is often provided by Auwina Weed, widely acclaimed virtuoso on the conch shell, who for many years has performed such difficult numbers as the “Grand March from Aida” for the assembled crowd.
The afternoon festivities typically include demonstrations of the intricacies of this ancient and noble art, and conch shells are available for contestants to purchase. Entertainment is often provided by Auwina Weed, widely acclaimed virtuoso on the conch shell, who for many years has performed such difficult numbers as the “Grand March from Aida” for the assembled crowd.
The contest receives wide national and
international media coverage. Blow Gabriel blow!! 
