Motorcyclists from throughout the United States are to travel one of America’s most scenic highways to raise money for charity during the 39th annual Key West Poker Run, set for Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 15-18.

Traditionally drawing riders on up to 10,000 bikes, the popular ride features a unique route down the 113-mile Overseas Highway from mainland Florida to Key West. Offering long vistas of breathtaking sea and sky, the roadway incorporates 42 bridges spanning the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and Gulf of Mexico.

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

Participating bikers receive poker sheets when they register, and draw cards at designated stops along the route in the Florida Keys. 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 Sportster motorcycle.

A section of lower Duval Street, Key West’s famed main thoroughfare, is to be closed to car traffic during much of the Poker Run so bikers with weekend parking passes can park on the street to display their bikes. Other attractions include a Thursday night “Duval Crawl” for early arrivals, bike merchandise market, “Biker Bash” street party, custom bike show and parties at Key West resorts and watering holes.

The Poker Run is a fundraiser for the Diabetes Research Institute and charities of the Key West Sunrise Rotary Club.

Events conclude Sunday, Sept. 18, with a brunch and “survivors’ party.”

Key West visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/keywest

The Cuban Cultural Exposition begins with the debut of “Viva Cuba Libre — The Chugs of Cuba” set for 2 p.m. Sunday, March 13. Conceived by Key West resident Benjamin Curry Bruce, the exhibit features Bruce’s compelling photographs of Cuban refugees’ “chugs,” or primitive makeshift vessels, displayed alongside items ranging from life jackets to medicines that they carried on the boats. It is only 90 miles from Florida to Cuba.

The opening also features mojitos and hors d’oeuvres. Subsequent days’ attractions include a domino tournament, Cuban cooking class, lively dance exhibition and lecture on Cuba’s medicinal herbs and plants. The work of Cuban artist Sandy Rico, whose oils depict his homeland, is to be featured throughout the exposition.

All events take place at Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden, an arboretum, garden, wildlife refuge and educational center. Showcasing flora native to South Florida, Cuba and the Caribbean, the garden features tropical fruit trees, fragrant plants and palms, spices and herbs, champion trees, butterflies and birds.

The celebration’s highlight is Hot Havana Nights, a lavish Latin party set for 7 p.m. Saturday, March 26. Attendees can dance to the sounds of Havana Soul while enjoying mojitos, authentic Cuban cuisine, fine cigars and an auction of handmade Cuban crafts and artistry including a piece by Sandy Rico.

Those who purchase VIP tickets also are invited to a 6 p.m. Cuban dinner and Tropicana show prior to Hot Havana Nights.

Reservations are encouraged since the gala typically sells out.

Event information, costs and ticketing: www.kwbgs.org or 305-296-1504
Key West visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY

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.

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.

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.

Key West, Florida Keys – The work of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Robert Frost is to be celebrated Wednesday through Sunday, April 9-13, on the island where he wintered for more than a dozen years.

The 14th annual Robert Frost Poetry Festival, the Florida Keys’ only international poetry event, is to include workshops by acclaimed poets, a film evening, a cigar and wine tasting with open microphone readings, a jazz showcase with open microphone readings, a poetry slam, a sunset poetry sail, an art exhibit, poetry and haiku readings, and the announcement of the winners of the festival’s national haiku and poetry contests.

The festival is headquartered at the Key West Heritage House Museum & Robert Frost Cottage, 410 Caroline St., with select events at other places in Key West. Frost, who served as U.S. poet laureate in 1958-59, first visited Key West in 1934 and wrote one of his best-known poems, “The Gift Outright,” on the island. He subsequently paid winter visits to Key West from 1945 to 1960, staying in the small cottage now named for him.

The festival is to kick off with an opening reception at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, at Key West’s Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton St. Titled “Wanted: Poets Dead or Alive,” the reception offers a chance to meet guest poets and workshop presenters.

At 5:30 p.m. local actors and guest poets are to present a round-robin reading of works by Frost, Wallace Stevens, Elizabeth Bishop, Richard Wilbur, Kirby Congdon, Rosalind Brackenbury and other noted writers who are past or present Key West residents or frequent visitors.

A short documentary film on the life and poetry of Robert Frost is to follow.

Admission for the evening is $15 per person and includes light hors d’oeuvres. Drinks can be purchased from a cash bar.

Workshop registration and check-in are scheduled from 8:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday in the Robert Frost Orchid Garden at the Heritage House Museum. A “green” continental breakfast is planned for registrants.

Poetry workshops are scheduled Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Thursday’s sessions are to include Hidden Poems with author and poet Brackenbury, Writing Haibun with “Modern Haiku” editor Charles Trumbull and Lighting the Fire to Write with Key West writer and artist Cricket Desmarais.

At noon Thursday, Lunch with Robert Frost is to feature a presentation by Frost scholar Dr. Michael Wyndham Thomas. He plans to discuss Frost’s formative years as a poet in England and the forces that drew him to Key West in later life. Cost is $10 per person and includes a box lunch.

Smokin’ Poetry, hosted by Sunset Cigar Co., is set for 5 p.m. with wine, cigars and open microphone readings in the Robert Frost Orchid Garden. Guests are encouraged to bring their poetry and read. The $10 per person admission includes a souvenir wineglass.

The focus turns to the Beat Generation at 8 p.m. with And the Beat Goes On, an evening of music and poetry at Blue Heaven, 729 Thomas St. Attendees are invited to read their poetry accompanied by local jazz musicians.

Workshops are to continue Friday with presentations titled Hey Elvis, Where Do You Want This Piano? by New York author and poet Catherine Doty, Writing Tanka by internationally recognized haiku poet Barry George and How to Read Your Poetry to the Audience by Key West actor and poet Richard Grusin.

Also scheduled is Visual Poetry, an intimate evening at The Studios of Key West, 600 White St., featuring the “visual poetry” of local artists in mediums including painting, photography, film, wood, clay, performance art and more. The event is free and open to the public beginning at 6 p.m.

At 8 p.m. Friday, a poetry slam is scheduled at Sippin’ Coffee House, 424 Eaton St. Three rounds are planned, so each prospective participant should prepare three poems of not longer than three minutes apiece. Entrants are to be judged on their poems’ content and the strength of the poetry performance, and cash prizes await winning poets.

Poets must register to compete prior to 8 p.m. For information, call (305) 293-0555.

Saturday’s poetry workshops are to include A New Time, A New Place with Thomas, to be held on the deck of the U.S.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk docked at Key West’s Truman Waterfront.

Dr. Lee Gurga, former editor of “Modern Haiku” is to present Haiku: Poetry of the Season, while Key West bookbinder Bob Muens is to advise participants in Learn How to Construct Your Own Chapbook.

On Saturday evening, poets can take to the high seas for a 6:30 p.m. Poetry on the Water cruise aboard the Fury Catamaran. Complimentary appetizers and libations, a renowned Key West sunset, open microphone readings and live music are in store for participants.

Cost is $49 per person and advance reservations are strongly recommended. The boat departs from Ocean Key Resort, Zero Duval St. For tickets, visit www.furycat.com or call (305) 294-8899.

Sunday’s events are to begin at 10 a.m. in the Robert Frost Orchid Garden with a Celebration of Poetry featuring readings by workshop participants of their new poems inspired during the festival. Readings by guest poets are set for 2 p.m. in the garden.

Subsequently, talented young poets are to receive the festival’s Poetry in the Schools prizes. The announcement of the Robert Frost Poetry Festival national poetry contest winner and national haiku contest winner is to follow.

Cost for the festival’s seven workshops is $195 per person. Poetry lovers also can sign up for individual workshops for $50 per person per session, or choose any three for $125. Registration is required prior to the workshop.

For more information, registration and poetry and haiku contest rules and deadlines, visit www.robertfrostpoetryfestival.com.

A necklace of islands that begins just south of Miami, the Florida Keys are connected by the Overseas Highway’s 43 bridges — one almost seven miles long — over the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Vistas of the Keys are dominated by emerald-green lagoons, deep-blue seas, nodding palms, rustling pines and olive-green mangroves.

The newspaper’s readers were asked to nominate locations throughout the state they considered one of the Seven Wonders of Florida. After nearly three months and hundreds of nominations, “Sun-Sentinel” staffers narrowed the field to 14 finalists. Readers then voted on the finalists through an online survey tallied weekly. The results were released the second week of August.

The Florida Everglades topped the list, followed by the Florida Keys and St. Augustine in third place.

Rounding out the list were Florida’s natural springs, Kennedy Space Center, Florida’s beaches and Walt Disney World.

So gather your family and friends and savor the fresh taste of local fare while enjoying the Florida sunshine. From mullet to crawfish, frog legs to sausage, mangos to kumquats, garlic to swamp cabbage, flap jacks to chocolate, and anything and everything in between, there’s a festival for every taste.

Food festivals are ideal entertainment for the whole family. Besides the main attraction — delicious food — these festivals feature a variety of amusements (musical entertainment, off-beat competitions, arts and crafts, car shows, children’s activities, and much more).

Are you a food-lover who enjoys sampling new and different foods and beverages?
Would you like to find affordable ways to entertain the kids or out-of-town guests?
Do you enjoy planning day trips or weekend getaways?
Are you a vendor looking for events where you can sell your products?

Florida’s food festivals can meet your every need. So whether you’re a longtime Florida resident or a visitor to the state, if you enjoy travel, outdoor activities, or good food — don’t miss out on another fun Florida food event. Here’s a sampling of what’s coming to Florida.

August:

Fort Lauderdale – Taste of Weston
Key West – Lobsterfest
Kissimmee – Old Town Chili Cookoff
Port St. Joe – Gulf County Scallop Festival
Tampa – WaZoo

September:

Clearwater – Taste of Clearwater
Crystal River – Florida Barbecue Association Funcook
Green Cove Springs – First Coast Ham Jam
Hollywood – Hollywood Beach Clambake
Pensacola – Emerald Coast Brew Fest & Beach Party
Pensacola – Seafood Festiva
Sandestin – Seafood & Mini Wine Fest

October:

Bradenton – Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival
Brooksville – Hernando County BBQ & Rodeo Festival
Cedar Key – Seafood Festival
De Land – Great Bowls of Fire Chili Cookoff
Destin – Seafood Festival
Jay – Gabbert Farm Peanut Festival
Niceville – Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival

November:

Apalachicola – Florida Seafood Festival
Fort Myers – Taste of the Town
Jensen Beach – Pineapple Festival
Land O’ Lakes – Flapjack Festival
Safety Harbor – Wine Festival
St. Petersburg – Ribfest
Sebastian – Clambake Lagoon Festival

Visit the “Food Fest!” companion website, www.FoodFestGuide.com, for exciting details and free festival information. The website offers many interesting features that complement the hardcopy book, such as upcoming food festivals and a list of the Florida Chambers of Commerce. If you register on the website, additional bonus features are available including a yearly calendar of events. Registration is free.