KEY LARGO, Florida Keys - For Florida Keys guitarist David Feder, the music production manager of Key Largo's Island Jubilee, one of the festival's biggest benefits is its value as a showcase for talented local musicians.

Presented by the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, Island Jubilee is scheduled Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 5 and 6, at Harry Harris Park, mile marker (MM) 93.5 oceanside in Tavernier, Fla. The event is to feature a lively family atmosphere, a quirky cardboard boat regatta and a diverse and colorful collection of arts and crafts.

Jane Van Fleet of the Key Largo chamber said arts and crafts offerings are to include framed and unframed digital photography, natural soaps, sterling silver and beaded jewelry, woven palm baskets and other unique and handcrafted items. The 2005 Island Jubilee is also slated to be a Mecca for barbecue enthusiasts flocking to one of its highlights - the Great Key Largo Barbecue Championship.

Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, the world's largest organization of barbecue and grilling enthusiasts, the Key Largo contest is the first professionally sanctioned barbecue championship to be held in the Florida Keys. The winners are to compete for nearly $5,000 in cash and prizes, saucy bragging rights and points toward entry in two national competitions - the Jack Daniels Invitational World Championship and the American Royal Barbecue Championship, considered the "Super Bowl" of barbecue competition.

For Feder, however, the best "licks" at Island Jubilee won't involve the fingers of satisfied barbecue aficionados. They'll emanate from the instruments of musicians he's booking to play the festival.

"If you go to Island Jubilee, you get to hear music that you've never heard before - and it's good, and it's local," said Feder, a seasoned singer-songwriter and internationally known acoustic guitarist whose style embraces jazz, blues, and unique "hillbilly flamenco."

Because many Keys musicians support themselves with day jobs, they can only play the music they love late at night at area clubs and bars, which means, Feder said, that Keys visitors and residents who don't frequent late-night venues don't have an opportunity to hear them.

Feder is booking talented local artists for both Saturday and Sunday afternoon during the festival.

"I try to concentrate on people who are exposing us to their original art and not so much to versions of cover tunes," he said. "For example, there's up-and-coming artist Micah Gardner, an amazingly gentle and spirited songwriter."

Feder also plans to take the stage himself during Island Jubilee, and for those who know the Keys music scene, his performance is likely to be a festival highlight. Nationally acclaimed columnist and author Carl Hiaasen lauded him as "... a phenomenal guitarist ... and one of the best-kept secrets in the Florida Keys."

Just prior to Island Jubilee, visiting and resident music lovers have another treat in store. A concert by legendary jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson is scheduled for 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Coral Shores Performing Arts Center at Coral Shores High School, MM 89.9 oceanside in Tavernier.

Tickets for Ferguson's performance are $30 per person for general admission in advance and $35 at the door (if available). Tickets for preferred seating are $50 per person.

For information about Island Jubilee or tickets to the Maynard Ferguson concert, call the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-822-1088 or 305-451-4747. For information about musician David Feder, visit www.davidfeder.com. To find out about area accommodations, call the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-822-1088 or 305-451-4747, or explore this Web site.