Florida Keys Calendar of Events for May, 2024
Enjoy the “Flora & Fauna: Early Naturalists in Florida” exhibit through September 13 at Key West Museum of Art & History's Custom House, Museum, 281 Front Street. The exhibit includes short biographies of the principal naturalists working in the Florida Territory in the early nineteenth century alongside representations of their Florida-inspired works. Their observation of plants and animals was an art as well as a science.
Emphasizing harmony with nature, the return of Art in the Garden showcases local art and sculptures with artistic expressions. Artworks are earth-friendly in the selection of materials and themes and include recycled, repurposed, and natural material. Meander over garden boardwalks and down pathways through dappled shade, colorful blossoms and winged creatures to spot many beautiful works of art. View daily through July 31. 5210 College Rd.
Matecumbe Historical Trust: "The Keys Worst Hurricanes"
A free presentation from the Irving R. Eyster collection will show the impacts of several Keys hurricanes, starting with the storm that hit the 1733 Spanish treasure fleet, the 1935 Labor Day hurricane, Hurricane Donna in 1960 and Hurricane Irma in 2017. These storms were some of the most destructive hurricanes in Florida Keys history, with the 1935 Hurricane being the strongest storm of the century. The presentation begins at 6 p.m. at Islamorada Public Library, mile marker 81.5 bayside.
Contact: 305-393-0940
Contact: 305-393-0940
This month's free Fish & Friends seminar provides information about how how snorkelers and divers can be empowered to support coral restoration. Speaker Maddie Cholnoky with Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary explains how the dive industry and recreational divers and snorkelers play a crucial role in spreading awareness about marine conservation, and providing hands-on ways to help. The evening begins with a social gathering from 6:15 to 7 p.m. followed by the presentation. Meet at the REEF campus, 98300 Overseas Highway
Retired Navy Commander Joe Dituri served continuously in active service upon various ships and stations where he was involved in every aspect of diving and special operations work, from saturation diving and deep submergence, to submersible design and clearance diving. Join Joe, who is well-known for setting the new underwater habitation record in 2023 at Jules Undersea Lodge, as he discusses salvage operations conducted during his incredible career. The presentation kicks off the museum's new featured exhibit, Salvaging the Deep. Attendees will be able to see the exhibit for its grand opening. 7 p.m. at the museum, located at mile marker 82.9 bayside.
Indulge in a culinary journey with an exclusive five course Tanteo Tequila Pairing Dinner to elevate your palate with an evening filled with tasteful twists and bold flavors. Advance tickets available online for $60 per person. 99020 Overseas Highway in the median.
The marvelous whodunit, Mousetrap wraps up its run at Marathon Community Theatre with performances Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. plus a 3 p.m. Sunday matinee May 19. This record-breaking, longest running murder mystery play features a brilliant surprise ending from Dame Agatha Christie, the foremost mystery writer of her time. Tickets $28. 5101 Overseas Highway.
The Morada Way Arts & Cultural District’s Third Thursday Art Walk in Islamorada is the organization’s landmark, monthly event. On the Third Thursday of each month, Keys-inspired fine artists, vendors, residents, and visitors congregate on Morada Way in Islamorada to celebrate the arts and culture in the Florida Keys. Enjoy a relaxing evening from 6-9 p.m. perusing local fine art, imbibing local craft beer and wine and listening to music, in the area between mile markers 81 and 82.
Intended for novice anglers and returning participants, this weekend is about learning and a non-intimidating, fun competition with the “Ladies Let’s Go Fishing” university organizers. Participants can join on a professional charter boat or fish on their own boat. This is a casual tournament with prizes for the heaviest offshore fish and longest inshore fish, drawings for prizes for those who caught fish, plus bonus drawings. The Friday kickoff takes place at The Tavernier Elks Club, mile maker 92 bayside; most Saturday and Sunday charters depart from Whale Harbor Marina, mile marker 83 oceanside.
This Lower Keys tournament has three divisions -- rod and reel, scuba and free diving. Competitors in each division compete for prizes for the largest black grouper and mutton snapper. The person catching the largest black grouper out of all three divisions is to be named the King of the Reef and grand prize winner. The catcher of the largest mutton snapper wins the mutton snapper calcutta. There is also a prize for the most polypropylene trash collected and weighed at the final tournament weigh-in. The tournament was established to raise awareness about diving decompression injuries and raise funds for victims. Tournament events, including the Saturday evening weigh-in and awards ceremony, are based at The Docks Stock Island, 6840 Front St.
Honor those officers who have given their lives in the line of duty during a Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony organized by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, 5 p.m. at Bayview Park, 1320 Truman Ave.
Learn about some of the world's deepest wrecks and how salvage divers got there in the museum's featured exhibit, on display through Dec. 31. Mile marker 82.9.
From the creator of the beloved Academy Award winning documentary “My Octopus Teacher” comes "Amphibious Soul," Craig Foster’s thrilling memoir of a life spent exploring the most incredible places on Earth – from the Great African Seaforest to the crocodile lairs of the Okavango Delta. Foster reveals how we can attend to the earthly beauty around us and deepen our love for all living things, whether we make our homes in the country, the city, or anywhere in between. $40 ticket includes a copy of the book. Doors open at 6 p.m., talk at 7 p.m.
The new owners of Shady Palm Art Gallery in Marathon invite the public to celebrate with them at their first anniversary celebration with live music, food and drinks. 2888 Overseas Highway
Don your best pirate or mermaid costume for a night of rum-infused fun during a scavenger hunt throughout Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden. Teams will be created to follow the scavenger hunt rules, with points given for the most items found within one hour. Proceeds benefit funding bus transportation for Monroe County school children's educational trips to the garden in the coming year.
Bring the kids for a special Junior Ranger Jamboree from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with park tours, special Junior Ranger activities, shave ice treats and more. The event is open to new and existing junior rangers. The Florida State Parks' Junior Ranger Program inspires young park visitors to explore, learn, connect with and protect Florida's native environment.
Keys 100 is a 100-mile point-to-point running race from Key Largo to Key West. Both teams and individuals compete. There is also a 50-mile option from Marathon to Key West and a 50k individual race from Big Pine Key to Key West. All races finish at Higgs Beach on the Atlantic in Key West. 100-mile races start at Divers Direct in Key Largo, MM 99.8.
The tournament raises awareness about congenital heart defects and provides funds to support families with infants born with these disorders. Check in at 9:30 a.m. at Edward B. Knight (White Street) Pier at 9:30 a.m. $15 per child. Rod, reel and bait provided. Lines in at 10 a.m.; awards ceremony at 11:45 a.m. Awards for biggest fish in each age group: 3 to 5; 6 to 8; and 9 to 13. Sharks will be their own category with one award for the largest shark across all age groups. There is also a silent auction at the pier during the tournament.
Come by land or sea to participate in the Key Largo Critter Cruise to benefit the Upper Keys Humane Society. Captain up with teams of four per boat or car and cruise or crawl to a selection of favorite Key Largo establishments to compete in games and contests for spectacular prizes. Costumes are encouraged -- prizes will be awarded for best dressed boat and best dressed team. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Starts and ends at the Caribbean Club, mile marker 104 bayside.
This kayak excursion, sponsored by Captain Bill Keogh of Big Pine Kayak Adventures, takes place from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. in the waters surrounding the National Key Deer Refuge in Big Pine Key. The trip begins at Old Wooden Bridge Marina, 1791 Bogie Road, and proceeds across the water to No Name Key and north. Call or text Captain Bill at 305-872-7474 to reserve your spot and your kayak and gear. Cost is $30, which is a donation to Florida Keys Wildlife Society.
Contact: Capt. Bill Keogh 305-872-7474
Contact: Capt. Bill Keogh 305-872-7474
Enjoy a gentle yoga class along with cats and kittens in the Cat Cafe beginning at 6 p.m. at mile marker 101.6 oceanside. Bring your own mat. Register in advance. The $25 fee is a donation to Upper Keys Humane Society.
Join representatives from Florida Keys Mosquito Control to learn about mosquitos during a free educational event in the park's visitor center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free with regular park admission. Mile marker 102.5 oceanside.
How much do you think you know about sharks? Come test your knowledge at the Sharks: Fact or Fiction ranger talk at 1:30 p.m. in the Visitor Center auditorium. Free with regular park admission. Mile marker 102.5 oceanside.
Celebrate the start of Summer Movie Night at the Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary with a screening of "Hoot," a movie about kids who join together to save burrowing owls. The film is based on Carl Hiaasen's book of the same name, and features Jimmy Buffett in a cameo role as the high school science teacher. All ages are welcome. Drinks and popcorn are free, but donations for the birds are always welcome. Bring camp chairs and blankets for seating.
Party on the beach at Island Grill, mile marker 85.5 oceanside in Islamorada on May 25th starting at 7:30 p.m. Groove under the stars to two live bands and a DJ. There will be Beach BBQ, sushi and drink specials. Tickets available online and at the door for $18 per person.
Delicious BBQ will be served from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Caribbean Club, mile marker 104 bayside, with proceeds benefiting Team River Runner and their work with disabled veterans. Enjoy live music all afternoon and evening.
Visit the family-friendly Monroe County Sheriff's Animal Farm, open the second and fourth Sundays of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. Visits are free of charge, but donations are always welcomed. Stock Island Detention Center, 5501 College Rd.
Watch sailors make a splash in homemade vessels made from plywood and duct tape in the craziest regatta you'll ever see on the waters of Key West Bight. Watch from the Historic Seaport walkways near Schooner Wharf. 12 noon at 202 William St.
The 15th annual tah-DANCE Community Dance Showcase lets you experience the art of dance through performances by the MCT dance department, local community dance studios, dance groups and individual dancers during an evening of performances created to entertain and enthrall. Two shows - Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m. 5101 Overseas Hwy.
This tournament is headquartered at Skippers Dockside Restaurant behind Key Largo’s Holiday Inn at mile marker 100. Cash prizes of over $50,000 include a first-place prize of $20,000 as well as prizes for the top six teams and top lady and junior anglers.
Email: ditournaments@aol.com
Email: ditournaments@aol.com