Key West's New Year's Eve Celebrations
New York has the Ball Drop in Time's Square, Atlanta the Peach Drop at Underground Atlanta... but leave it to Key West to do it just right... a conch shell drop at Sloppy Joe’s Bar and the Red High Heel Drop with drag queen Sushi at Bourbon St. Pub/New Orleans House!
It wouldn't be New Year's Eve in Key West without a dazzling, original and loud fireworks display... so head to the end of White Street pier, near the AIDS memorial, and at midnight get ready for a spectacular display, courtesy of Atlantic Shores Resort, Wyndam Casa Marina and Reach, Louie's Backyard, Old Town Resorts and Tropical Details.
For those hardy souls who were able to avoid temptation and have a sober New Year's Eve...
Atlantic Shores has a block party scheduled before (and after?) the fireworks display. Featuring a buffet, DJ's and a drag show (hey, this IS Key West!), it all starts at 7pm at the resort, at 510 South Street... on the beachfront.
Revelers on upper Duval Street are to ring in the New Year watching the Red Shoe Drop, a six-foot-high red high heel shoe carrying drag queen Sushi from the balcony of the Bourbon St. Pub/New Orleans House, 730 Duval St. Hosted by the Bourbon St. Pub and the 801 Bourbon Bar, 801 Duval St., festivities begin at 10 p.m. with a street party. Call (305) 294-4737 for information.
For those hardy souls who were able to avoid temptation and have a sober New Year's Eve, or those with the iron constitition Papa Hemingway made famous, can head over to Islamorada for the 2nd Annual Walk, Run or Crawl. A five-kilometer race that starts January 1st at 8:30 a.m. at Whale Harbor (MM 83.9 Oceanside). The entrance fee is $15 for the 5k race. For more information, call Margie Scacci at (305) 852-8959 or Zully Williams at (305) 664-2345.
Key West's own Bahama Village will be having the Caribbean Junkanoo Festival Parade on January 1st, starting at 12:45 a.m. at Bill Butler Park. A Karamu Feast Celebration is slated for later that same day at 4 p.m. at the Monroe County Public Library. For information call Norma Jean Sawyer at (305) 293-9692 or (305) 295-7337.
If you can't find something entertaining
to do for the New Year holiday in Key West, you're just not trying! 
