Key Largo Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest Oct 25

October 2, 2009

 Halloween Underwater Pumpkin Carving

Key Largo, Florida Keys – Grinning jack-o’-lanterns surrounded by spectator reef fish are to make their annual appearance beneath the sea during the Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest hosted by Amy Slate’s Amoray Dive Resort, located at mile marker 104.5.

The annual Florida Halloween Event is a favorite for the many divers who visit Key Largo during the fall.

Buddy teams are to compete during the 8:30 a.m. dive Sunday, Oct. 25, to create pumpkins worthy of praise and prizes from the experienced judges, who double as the crew of the Amoray Diver dive boat.

Amoray provides contestants with hollowed-out pumpkins to take below the surface to a depth of less than 30 feet. Dive knives are to serve as carving tools, and prizes await the top three pumpkin sculptors.

“It’s always interesting to see what people carve out underwater,” said Captain Joe Goddard, who escorts divers to the event each year. “People come from all over to participate.”

Entry fee is the regular dive boat cost: $80 per certified diver for the two-tank, two-location dive including tanks, weights and snorkel equipment. The Amoray Dive Resort also offers specially priced multiple-dive and dive-lodging packages.

Divers are encouraged to sign up for the contest early because space is limited. At the 2008 challenge, the first-place prize was awarded to Spencer Lambeth, an 11-year-old from Fort Myers, Fla.

For more information about the contest, call (800) 426-6729 or visit www.amoray.com.

To find out about area accommodations, call the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce at (800) 822-1088 or 305-451-4747, or visit the Florida Keys & Key West Web site at www.fla-keys.com.

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Bikers Poker Run in the Florida Keys Sep 17-20

September 11, 2009

Marathon Seven Mile Bridge

Florida Keys – Motorcyclists from throughout the United States are to travel one of America’s most scenic highways to raise money for charity during the 37th annual Key West Poker Run, set for Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 17-20.

Riders on up to 10,000 bikes are expected to traverse the Overseas Highway (U.S. Highway 1), the 113-mile roadway from mainland Florida to Key West that features 42 bridges and long vistas of breathtaking open water.

Beginning Sept. 1 bikers can register at Phil Peterson’s Harley-Davidson Miami, 19400 N.W. 2nd Ave. and 19825 S. Dixie Highway. Online registration is accepted before that date at www.petersonsharley.com.

Upon registering and making a $10 donation, each participant receives a poker sheet and weekend parking pass. Additional “poker hands” are available for $10 apiece.

Drivers of cars and trucks also can participate in the run. Those who can’t drive the entire course can purchase and play their poker hands in Key West at Conch Republic Seafood Co., 631 Greene St.

For early arrivals in Key West, a bar stroll is planned on Upper Duval Street Thursday night, Sept. 17, ending in a beach party at the Southernmost Beach Café, 1405 Duval St.

Starting at 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18, Poker Run participants are to ride the Florida Keys Overseas Highway from Miami to Key West, stopping at designated points to draw cards. The fifth and final stop is Conch Republic Seafood Co.

Entrants who draw the 10 best poker hands are eligible to play in a winner-take-all round of Texas Hold ‘Em, competing for a new Harley-Davidson 883 Sportster custom motorcycle. The action takes place at Guy Harvey’s Island Grill, 511 Greene St., at 11 p.m. Saturday.

The lower part of Key West’s famed Duval Street is to be closed to car traffic from 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, so bikers with weekend parking passes can park on the street to display their bikes.

Bike aficionados also can find merchandise including motorcycle accessories and apparel at the Poker Run Vendor Village on Greene Street just off Duval.

Saturday, Sept. 19, Big Bike Riders Association representatives are to judge the annual custom bike show with proceeds earmarked for charity. Events take place in front of Rick’s/Durty Harry’s, 208 Duval St., with trophies awarded in multiple classes. Cost is $25 per bike.

Sloppy Joe’s, 201 Duval St., hosts its annual “Biker Bash” from noon until 11 p.m., with contests including a wacky “Bikers on Tricycles” challenge.

Poker Run attendees can chill out from noon to 4 p.m. at a pool party at the Southernmost Hotel, 1319 Duval St., with music and giveaways. The annual Paradise Tattoo Contest and bikini show are planned Saturday at the Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St.

The Poker Run concludes with a Sunday morning blessing of the bikes and a Bloody Mary brunch at the Southernmost Beach Café.

For details including a full schedule, visit www.petersonskeywestpokerrun.com.

For lodging information in Key West, contact the Key West Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-LAST-KEY (800-527-8539), or visit www.fla-keys.com.

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Mel Fisher Days July 16-19

June 17, 2009

Trigger Fish

Key West, Florida Keys - The 24th anniversary of shipwreck salvor Mel Fisher’s discovery of the sunken Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha is to be commemorated Thursday through Sunday, July 16-19, during Mel Fisher Days on the island the late salvor called home.

Fisher and his crew uncovered a $400 million cache of Atocha treasure and artifacts on July 20, 1985, after a 16-year search. The galleon sank approximately 35 miles southwest of Key West during a 1622 hurricane.

Fisher’s son Kim Fisher and grandson Sean Fisher lead the continuing search for Atocha artifacts and treasures remaining on the ocean floor. Each year, Fisher family members and friends present the festival.

Mel Fisher Days activities are to benefit Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, 200 Greene St. Key West, where objects from the Atocha and other shipwrecks are conserved, studied and displayed. Museum visitors can view items including gold and silver bars and coins, cannons and smaller weapons, rare navigational instruments, ornate jewelry and even a 77.7-carat emerald.

Festival events are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 16, at the Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St. in Key West’s Historic Seaport.

The evening’s highlight is the presentation of the Mel Fisher Lifetime Achievement Award, to be granted posthumously to Deo Fisher, Mel’s wife and partner in adventure, who died in January 2009. A video tribute is planned to honor her.

Other attractions at the Schooner Wharf kickoff include games, contests, live entertainment, raffles and more than $4,000 in authentic treasure prizes.

At 5 p.m. Friday, an exuberant parade on Key West’s Duval Street is to celebrate the Atocha saga. A “hard times pub crawl,” recalling Fisher’s financial woes before the shipwreck find, is to start at Rick’s Bar, 208 Duval St.

Saturday, July 18, those possessing Mel’s optimistic spirit can try their luck at a Midnight Gambler Poker Tournament set for 8:15 p.m. to 2 a.m. aboard Sunset Watersports’ Party Cat catamaran.

The festival culminates in a reunion of the “golden crew” that searched for the Atocha with Fisher. The reunion and pool party are scheduled 1-3 p.m. Sunday, July 19, the day before the anniversary of the historic discovery, at Dante’s Key West, 951 Caroline St.

For more information, visit www.melfisher.com or call Sharon Wiley at (305) 296-6534.

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Fourth Annual Keys Green Living Expo March 28

March 15, 2009

Marathon, Florida Keys – A visit to the Florida Keys is generally filled with color — blue skies, aquamarine waters, orange sunsets and puffy white clouds — but visitors are encouraged to think green during the fourth annual Green Living and Energy Expo in Marathon.

Open to the public Saturday, March 28, the expo is to take place at Marathon High School, 350 Sombrero Beach Road.

The expo typically draws thousands to learn and explore how to live in an environmentally responsible manner. The free one-day event, this year themed “Greening

The Economy,” is expected to attract numerous exhibitors as well as demonstrations and money-saving workshops about sustainable living, renewable energy and conservation in the Florida Keys. Other focuses include reducing energy and water bills, understanding the origins and effects of the common foods, recycling and gardening organically.

An alternative transportation display of solar, biodiesel and electric vehicles is to be set up, with owners and dealers on hand to answer questions.

Vegetables and tropical fruits are to be available at an organic farmer’s market.

In addition, an Artists Village is to offer recycled and sustainable art, as well as the premiere of “Green Films” followed by discussions.

An extended kids’ activities area will teach the power of solar and many other concepts to help young people understand the need to conserve resources and reduce waste.

Green entrepreneurs and eco-conscious attendees can network at a pre-Expo Green Drinks Reception set for Friday.

Sunday’s schedule includes a brunch and tours of local homes built or operating with earth-friendly practices. Throughout the Keys, discounted eco-tours of the backcountry waters are to be offered, with a portion of tour proceeds slated to benefit GLEE.

For more information, visit www.keysGLEE.com or call (305) 809-3509.

To find out about area accommodations, call the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce at (305) 743-5417 or (800) 262-7284 or visit the Florida Keys & Key West Web site at www.fla-keys.com.

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Don’t Shiver on New Year’s Eve, Come to Florida where all you need are shorts and flip-flops

December 24, 2008

Sloppy Joes

While the rest of the country will be shivering on New Year’s Eve, I’m spending it in Florida, through out Florida many hotels are throwing parties like the one The Plaza Resort & Spa is planning live music, hors d’oeuvres, and a champagne toast at midnight.

Other parties are going on at the Orlando area theme parks. Universal Studios CityWalk is throwing their annual bash with the Doobie Brothers performing. They always have lots of great food the bars have many different types musical acts. Dazzling fireworks showers, live entertainment and extended park hours throughout the Vacation Kingdom New Year’s Eve at Disney World making it a popular spot to ring in the new year. Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Magic Kingdom and Epcot all have party’s planned. Late-nighters can party at Magic Kingdom until the wee hours with parades and fireworks galore. A Florida New Year’s party to remember can also be found at SeaWorld with live performers till 12:30 with the parks attractions and rides open till midnight.

Three celebrations in New Year’s Eve in Key West, all slated for the night of Wednesday, Dec. 31, are to be staged as very different — though equally lighthearted — takeoffs on the Times Square gala. Visitors and residents who want to start the New Year with a focus on fitness can do so beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, when a 5k run, walk or crawl is to depart from Islamorada’s Founders Park, MM 87 bayside.

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Ring in the holidays with art & music in Big Pine Key

November 23, 2008
More Florida Holiday Celebrations
Christmas at Disney World
Universal Studios Holiday Celebration
Polar Express Experience at SeaWorld
Gaylord Palms’ ICE
Florida Christmas Boat Parades

Big Pine Key, Florida Keys – Sleigh rides and snowball fights aren’t on the menu of holiday amusements in the balmy Lower Florida Keys, but the spirit of the season nonetheless flourishes in subtropical temperatures.

Visitors and Keys residents are invited to ring in the holiday season and celebrate the creative arts at the Big Pine Island Art Festival, themed “Art & Music in a Natural Key.” The event is to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, on the grounds of the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, mile marker 31 oceanside in Big Pine.

Scheduled highlights include live music, exhibits and booths featuring the original work of artists and craftsmen.

The festival is designed to be fun for the entire family, as well as a place to find one-of-a-kind holiday gifts and artwork, all while enjoying the tranquil natural atmosphere of the Lower Keys. In addition, items are to be raffled throughout the day, providing even more opportunities for attendees to obtain examples of Keys artistry.

Live music is to be provided by favorite local entertainers including Terry Cassidy, a longtime Keys resident and acclaimed singer, guitarist and banjo picker.

Young attendees can sample treats and explore their own creativity with holiday craft activities at the festival’s kids’ corner.

While art and music satisfy the spirit, food and beverages are to be available from on-site vendors to satisfy the taste buds.
Admission and parking are free.

For more information about the Big Pine Island Art Festival, visit www.lowerkeyschamber.com or contact the chamber office at (305) 872-2411 or (800) 872-3722.

For accommodations in the Lower Florida Keys, call the chamber or visit the Florida Keys Web site at www.fla-keys.com.

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