Things To Do In Key West

Check back here for our calendar of upcoming Key West events.

May 2011

• May 1, 2011 - GOLF - 6th Annual "Tiger In The Woods Golf Tournament" - Held at the Key West Golf course and presented by the Key West Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call 305-294-5232.
• May 9, 2011 - LOCAL COLOR - LaTeDa Redux Queen Mother Pageant - 1125 Duval Street. 7pm to 10:30 pm.
• May 13-14, 2011 - HISTORY - Harry S. Truman Legacy Symposium - This year's theme will examine the thorny issue of the President and Civil Liberties. Scholars will examine Truman’s Legacy of loyalty oaths and McCarthyism and George W Bush’s and Barrack Obama’s Patriot Act. Key West Marriott Beach Conference Center. For more information, call 305-294-9911.
• May 14, 2011 - SPORTS - Key West Paddleboard Classic - The paddleboard is a sort of over-sized, super-stable surfboard that lets you stand and paddle across the water. Combined with Key West's calm warm water, and you can see why paddleboarding is becoming popular on the island. This 12-mile race will certainly challenge participants as they circumnavigate Key West. Race starts/ends at Smather's Beach. Call 305-797-1174 for more information.
• May 14, 2011 - SPORTS - Keys 100 Ultra - 100 and 50 mile ultra marathons starting near Key Largo and in Marathon FL, finishing in Key West. Cost: $125 to $275 individuals, $450 to $750 teams. For more information, call 954-439-2800.
• May 28, 2011 - FISHING - 10th Annual Yamaha Dolphin Masters Invitational - Dolphin fish, also known as Mahi-Mahi or Dorrado, is NOT the marine mammal with the same name. They look very different too. Dolphin fish are plentiful during summer offshore of Key West, and this tournament will reward the boat that catches the biggest combined weight of three fish. Costs $750 to enter. $13,000 in prizes. Call 305-304-7674 for more information.

June 2011

• July 2, 2011 - FISHING - Conch Republic Ladies’ Dolphin Tournament - Fish for Key West's favorite summertime table fare - the dolphin-fish (Mahi-Mahi). Costs $400 to enter. Cash prizes. Call 305-304-7674 for more information.
• June 8 - 12, 2011 - GAY/LESBIAN - Pridefest Key West 2011: Key West Pride - Event honoring the diversity, openness and freedom in the city that is consistently recognized as one of the world's top gay land lesbian vacation destinations. Includes a mix of dance and cocktail parties, contests, shows, forums, activities on the water, tours, street fair and the Pride Parade along Duval Street. For more information, call (305) 292-3223.
• June 24 - 26, 2011 - FISHING - Key West Gator Club Dolphin Derby - Fishing tournament focusing on Key West's favorite summertime offshore species: dolphin fish ( a.k.a. mahi-mahi or dorado). For more information, call 305-304-7674.

July 2011

• July 4, 2011 - INDEPENDENCE DAY - Key West Fireworks - Dazzling fireworks show is launched from the White Street pier on the south side of the island of Key West. Begins shortly after sunset. Popular tradition is to view the fireworks from the water aboard a boat. More information and reservations for boat options at Key West July 4th Fireworks Cruises.
• July 14 - 17, 2011 - HISTORY - Mel Fisher Days - Local legend and treasure hunter Mel Fisher is celebrated. Known for his daily "Today's the day" attitude, Mel Fisher eventually discovered the Atocha - a Spanish galleon loaded with gold, silver, and treasure and was sank in a storm off Key West. For more information, call 305-296-6534.
• July 17 - 20, 2011 - FISHING - Del Brown Permit Tournament - Considered amongst anglers to be the hardest and most rewarding fish to catch in shallow water on fly, this tournament is named after the early innovator of the sport Del Brown, who showed that you can catch a permit on fly - more than once in a lifetime. Really, it is a feat of a lifetime, but if you have the skills, pattern, and luck, then you just may have a chance. Call 305-942-0428 for more information.
• July 19 - 24, 2011 - HEMINGWAY - 31st Annual Hemingway Days - Weeklong celebration of Ernest Hemingway, who lived in Key West during the 1930s. Events include running of the bulls, Hemingway look-a-alike contest, short-story contest directed by Hemingway's granddaughter, and billfish tournament.
• July 27 - 28, 2011 -- FISHING - Lobster Mini-Sport Season - Two-day event draws hundreds of sometimes frenzied recreational boaters in search of Florida lobster. Many rules apply, including: Bag limit: 6 per person per day for Monroe County. Possession limit - on the water: equal to the daily bag limit. Possession limit - off the water: equal to the daily bag limit on the first day, and double the daily bag limit on the second day.  Possession limits are enforced on and off the water. Minimum size limit: must be larger than 3" carapace, measured in the water.  A reminder that possession and use of a measuring device is required at all times, and night diving is prohibited in Monroe County (only during the sport season). Florida Saltwater Fishing License plus lobster endorsement/stamp required. Please respect other boaters, stay away from shorelines, ecological reserves, no-take zones, and canals, use a dive flag, and do no harm to the sensitive coral and eco-system. Call Florida Fish & Wildlife (FWC) at 305-289-2320 for more information.