Apr 30, 2012 - May 29, 2012
May 25, 2012
Oct 14, 2012 - May 14, 2013
Jun 5, 2012 - Jun 9, 2012
Jul 13, 2012
Jul 18, 2012 - Jul 20, 2012
Jul 26, 2012 - Aug 4, 2012
Aug 5, 2012 - Mar 30, 2013
Aug 15, 2012 - Aug 18, 2012
Aug 16, 2012 - Aug 17, 2012
Apr 30, 2012 - May 29, 2012
May has been declared Florida State Parks Month. Experience all the sights, sounds and recreational activities that visitors enjoy while visiting Florida's National Gold Medal Winning State Parks. For more Information, contact your local state park or visit us online at floridastateparks.org.
May 25, 2012
Famous for its beautiful clear water, Key West has long been known as a fishermens paradise. Jimmy Buffet, Ernest Hemingway and Robert Frost are just a few who have fished these crystal clear waters filled with over 225 species of gamefish. In this challenge headquartered at Key West's Historic Seaport, more than $13,000 awaits the angler scoring the highest total combined weight of three dolphin catches. Many additional prizes await other top anglers, and there is no limit on the number of participating boats. For more information, please call John Stuempfig at 305-304-7674 or email wave.whacker@hotmail.com.
Oct 14, 2012 - May 14, 2013
Those highly anticipated, succulent claws... brought to shore fresh daily from the waters surrounding the Florida Keys, are NOW dripping in mustard dip and being quickly consumed by visitors and locals alike! The stone crab season is finally upon us and the Keys' most popular delicacy on the menu once again in restaurants large and small... bars, cafes and raw bars as well as homes all over the island. Key West and the Florida Keys are crazy for stone crab claws...and the only decision is just how many small, medium or large claws can you eat in one sitting? The waters off the Florida Keys are Florida's top source of stone crab claws. About 40 percent of the state's average annual harvest of more than 3.1 million pounds comes from Keys waters, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Still one of the Keys' tastiest and most unique gastronomic treats, stone crab claws are large and meaty -- closer in size to a 2-pound Maine lobster's claws than a blue crab's claws. Stone crab claws are usually cooked immediately after being brought to the dock, usually by placing the claws in boiling water then bringing the water back to a boil. Total cooking time is seven to eight minutes. Running cold water over the cooked claws tends to keep the meat from sticking to the shell -- and Keys locals know the secret to cracking the claws open: forget those squeeze-together shell crackers and use the back of a spoon. Gently smack the shell and it will crack cleanly. The traditional dip for stone crab claws is a mustard-based sauce made from a favorite mustard with mayonnaise or sour cream, and add-ins like parsley flakes, Worcestershire or A-1 Sauce, salt and pepper to taste. More adventurous chefs saut the meat from stone crab claws in a hot dip made from orange marmalade, lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, butter and curry powder. As well as being flavorful to eat, stone crab claws are a renewable resource because the crabs can re-grow harvested claws. Both claws of a stone crab may be taken if each is of legal size, defined as a 2.75-inch propodus. The propodus is the larger, immovable part of the claw's pincer. The measurement is taken from the base of the joint between the "elbow" and propodus to the tip of the propodus. Legal-size claws may be harvested from female stone crabs unless the crab is carrying eggs. When its claws are removed correctly, the crab will regenerate legal-size claws in about three years, according to the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission. A very large crab can regenerate a legal-size claw in about one year. Ohhhhh BOY! Let's eat!
Jun 5, 2012 - Jun 9, 2012
PrideFest is about the inherent openness and acceptance found in the internationally renowned gay and lesbian resort destination. That inclusiveness will be celebrated during the island city's PrideFest. Presented by the Key West Business Guild, PrideFest honors gay and lesbian achievements in equality, promotes tolerance and understanding, and provides a fun-filled whirl of revelry for visitors and residents of all sexual orientations. The schedule includes the Pride Follies talent extravaganza; contests to select a Mr., Ms. and Miss PrideFest, parties and a tea dance and a parade down Key West's famous Duval Street. "At a time not long ago, the social climate against sexual minorities made police raids very common for many of the places gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people gathered. But on June 27, 1969, the patrons of a small New York City bar called The Stonewall Inn fought back in a three day resistance that spilled out on the streets of Greenwich Village marking the birth of the modern gay rights movement. Today, millions of people each year gather to commemorate this historical turning point in hundreds of Pride marches and Pride festivals throughout the world." "While we fight for our rights to the same dignity and respect that heterosexual members of our society have, we often don't afford basic respects to our own diverse groups. Pridefest Key West was born of a dream to create a sense of community, understanding and tolerance for everyone, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered and heterosexual. It is our greatest dream that this event will introduce the diverse members of our culture to each other so that we can cultivate an understanding of all parts of our community." "The Rainbow Flag is a huge symbol of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Pride. It was designed in 1978 by an artist named Gilbert Baker. There was need of a symbol that could be used year after year in the San Francisco Pride Parade. The colors each stand for some aspect of our community. Red for life, orange for healing, yellow for the sun, green for nature, blue for art and purple for spirit. If we look at the flag, one color is sewn to the next. Each stripe connects to the one below it and forms a whole. It can also symbolize a wall, one composed of the diverse parts of our culture coming together and supporting one another. Taking this representation to heart, we can be the strong wall against the political forces using us as scapegoats and break the tide they have been throwing against us." "Robert F. Kennedy said, "Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance." That is what we are hoping will be the outcome of our Pride event; growing a great wall of support and greater understanding of the diverse parts that make up our whole so we can reflect this dignity and respect for each other to the people that don't understand."
Jul 13, 2012
While many symphonies perform under the stars, only one can claim to perform under the sea. The Submerged Symphony will be at its very best during the anniversary of the Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival. The unique event showcases the colorful diversity of marine life that characterizes North America's only living coral barrier reef. As many as 600 divers and snorkelers gather each year for the sub-sea songfest at Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, an area of the reef located approximately six miles south of Big Pine Key. The quirky concert is scheduled for July 14, 2012. Most of the music is broadcast underwater via Lubell Laboratory speakers suspended beneath boats...and that makes for a very fine sound! If you don't have your own boat, Dive shops and private charters are available throughout the Lower Keys to provide transportation to the reef. This event is unique to the Florida Keys and its success is a testament the many wonders of the reef and of course, music! As well as being a one-of-a-kind event for divers and snorkelers, the Underwater Music Festival carries a serious message of coral reef preservation. The musical broadcast incorporates diver awareness announcements, written and recorded by Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary officials, offering tips on how people can enjoy the ocean while minimizing the impact on the coral reef ecosystem and overall marine environment. Past events have included appearances by a troupe of snorkeling Elvis look-alikes playing underwater guitar, a long-haired mermaid with a harp, a trio of divas of the deep, and marchers in a submerged patriotic parade. Divers and snorkelers interested in participating in the Underwater Music Festival can charter space aboard boats run by Lower Keys dive operators. Visitors and residents with their own boats can launch from public ramps throughout the area. Going down?
Jul 18, 2012 - Jul 20, 2012
Sloppy Joe's Bar in Key West will host its 32nd Annual Hemingway Look-Alike contest July 19-21, 2012. The contest is one of many events in Key West to celebrate the birthday of Ernest Hemingway and honor his work as author and sportsman. The competition starts with the first preliminary round on Thursday, July 19, second preliminary round on Friday, July 20, and finals on Saturday, July 21. From each preliminary round finalists are chosen. Last year's competition had 121 Look-Alikes taking the stage with 12 contestants from Thursday night preliminary and 15 from Friday night preliminary going on to the final round. Look-Alikes are everywhere, it's a load of fun! Come early, get a good seat and watch the competition. After the finals, the party spills over into the streets, where the Street Fair on Duval continues with food, drinks, entertainment and fun for everyone! The infamous Hemingway Look-Alike Society invites you to join the Society. They will be at Sloppy Joe's to sign-up new members. For information about Sloppy Joe's Hemingway Look-Alike Contest and other look-alike events, visit sloppyjoes.com. For a complete Hemingway Days schedule, visit hemingwaydays.net.
Jul 26, 2012 - Aug 4, 2012
Calling all food and wine lovers! The Key Largo Food & Wine Festival gives you scores of great reasons to come to Key Largo! Each summer, the gateway to the Florida Keys transforms into a food and wine lover's paradise. Key Largo's culinary experts are stepping up to the plate to present nearly 30 tasty food, wine and spirits events Friday, July 27, through Sunday, Aug. 5. Come on down and enjoy all of all the tasty temptations, and some of your favorite wines, as Key Largo's culinary experts step up to the plate to show you what Key Largo has to offer multiple wine tasting events in 10 days: cooking demonstrations, wine dinners, progressive wine dinners, food and wine pairing classes, cook book signings, art and wine "shows," cigars and wine, and of course Key Largo's famous sunsets, scuba diving, tourist attractions, shopping, and a great time. For a complete schedule of event times, venues and reservation information, visit KeyLargoFoodandWineFestival.com.
Aug 5, 2012 - Mar 30, 2013
Every year Key West goes lobster crazy when the "open" lobster season officially opens in early August. Throughout August many area restaurants offer to cook up any lobster lucky divers bring in, and all have lobster specials that will delight your taste buds and go easy on the wallet! Lobster "mini" season runs July 25-26, 2012 and the regular season is August 6, 2012 through March 31, 2013, but the summer months are when everyone gets serious about "bug hunting." Diving Key West is always an exciting and novel good time. Doing so during prime lobster season is an unforgettable experience. There are several very important things to keep in mind if you dive for lobsters in Key West's waters. For Lobster Season dates, bag limits and more, please visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission's Lobster Season web page. If you're going to be in Key West in the next half year, dive down and grab yourself a lobster!
Aug 15, 2012 - Aug 18, 2012
Rising temperatures in the island city aren't always a meteorological condition. Instead, they could be a response to Tropical Heat, a long weekend of gay and lesbian adult fun designed to tickle the fancy and stimulate the senses...so to speak! Conceived by the Key West Business Guild, the United States' oldest gay-oriented business organization, Tropical Heat is a collaborative showcase for the island city's most in-demand gay and lesbian bars and clubs. Its schedule features 10 events over a four-day period -- each offering a different type of lightheartedly decadent adult fun. "Key West is renowned as a gay and lesbian vacation destination for its welcoming atmosphere and warm weather, which makes it ideal for this event," said Tropical Heat spokesperson Steve Smith of the Key West Business Guild. "When people come down, we encourage them to pack their bags -- not their inhibitions."
Aug 16, 2012 - Aug 17, 2012
Grab your oars and anything that floats and come on down and enjoy this family-fun Key Largo festival, 2011 Anything that Floats Race, Regatta, and Fireworks on Blackwater Sound, mile marker 104, bayside in Key Largo, Florida Keys. That's right. It's anything that floats. Homemade vessels of materials that you can find around your house: cardboard, wood, PVC, duct tape, milk jugs, 5 gallon buckets, saran wrap, old t-shirts, outdoor furniture, old bikes, and pool noodles. Just no motors, inflatable rafts, foam, or pool toys are allowed. Prizes will be awarded for: Fastest: 2 person team, 4 person team, or unlimited team, Best decorated boat under 18 feet, best decorated boat over 18 feet, Best Looking Crew (in costumes), and the best hard luck story. Everyone that enters and competes is a winner! Enter a homemade vessel, join the regatta on Blackwater Sound, or cheer on your favorite team from land as the contestants navigate the course from the Caribbean Club to Sundowners and back, then as the sunsets, enjoy the sounds of local bands as they play to the crowd from land at mile marker 104. At 9:30 PM the sky over Blackwater Sound will light-up with fireworks as we celebrate the closing of another great Key Largo event. For more information visit fkrm.com/floatrace/
