KEY WEST, Florida Keys - With activities ranging from wacky bed race to a lighthearted sea battle featuring tall ships, the Conch Republic's 10-day birthday party showcases the independent and eccentric spirit that characterizes the Florida Keys.

Scheduled through April 30, the 24th annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration commemorates the day the Florida Keys seceded from the United States to form "the world's first fifth-world nation."

The island republic, whose motto is We Seceded Where Others Failed, was born following a 1982 U.S. Border Patrol blockade of the Keys. In protest, the island chain seceded, declared war on the mother country, surrendered 60 seconds later, and demanded one billion dollars in foreign aid.

Despite the mysterious nonappearance of the foreign aid, the republic lives by its stated mission to bring more "humor, warmth and respect" to the planet - and the events scheduled for the 2006 anniversary of the secession resonate with all three qualities.

On Thursday evening, April 27, the World's Longest Parade is to step off at 8 p.m. on Duval Street between United and South streets. Named because it begins at the Atlantic Ocean and proceeds down the length of Duval to the Gulf of Mexico, the exuberant procession is to wind up at the Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St.

Spontaneous participation by spectators is encouraged in the annual parade, which typically attracts marchers, cyclists, pedicabs, floats, canine celebrants and participants of all ages. A post-parade party is scheduled for 9 p.m. at the Schooner Wharf.

The action is slated to move from land to the waters of Key West Harbor on the following evening. The Conch Republic Naval Parade and Great Battle for the Conch Republic begins at 7 p.m., sponsored by the republic's flagship schooner, the Wolf.

With weapons ranging from water cannons to flying Cuban bread and vegetables, the battle is generally outrageous, good-hearted and completely unique - much like the Conch Republic itself. Noncombatants are invited to view the maritime mayhem from Bloody Battle Parties at hotels and properties overlooking the harbor.

Following the battle, a 9 p.m. victory party is scheduled at the Schooner Wharf to commemorate the Conch Republic Navy's preordained triumph over the evil forces of the "U.S. Border Patrol."

Saturday, April 29, marks the celebration's oldest and most famous event: the annual Fairvilla Megastore Conch Republic Red Ribbon Bed Race. In this wacky race, teams propel festively decorated beds from the Crowne Plaza La Concha, 430 Duval St., down the avenue to the Hog's Breath Saloon, 400 Front St. Billed as "the most fun you can have in bed with your clothes on," the race raises money for Key West's AIDS Help Inc.

As well as these annual favorites, the 2006 Conch Republic revelry is to feature two new events. The Green Parrot Conch Republic 2006 Music Festival is to bring together local and visiting bands and entertainers for a jammin' afternoon and evening. Music is to begin at noon Sunday, April 23, at the Green Parrot Bar, a funky local landmark at 601 Whitehead St.

For those more attuned to automobiles, the new Great Conch Republic Conch-Cours de Elegance is to debut at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 29. The classic car show, which features vintage "rides" including the 100,000th MGA, is to take place at Hurricane Hole Marina, mile marker 4.2 oceanside U.S. Highway 1, Stock Island.

Among other events on the 2006 Conch Republic Independence Celebration schedule are a crafts show and food fest on Greene Street, a "salute to the Hog Nation" at the Hog's Breath Saloon, a Conch Crawl showcasing favorite watering holes, a sailing race commemorating the historic wrecking tradition of the Florida Keys, and a Stargazer Cruise offering rare viewing of the Northern Cross and Southern Cross together in the night sky above the Conch Republic.

For more information about the 2006 Conch Republic Independence Celebration, call (305) 294-2298 or visit the republic's Web site at www.conchrepublic.com. For lodging information in Key West, contact the Key West Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-LAST-KEY (800-527-8539), or explore this Web site.

CONCH REPUBLIC INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION

Schedule of Events

Through April 30, 2006

FRIDAY, APRIL 28

Noon Raising of the Colors at Fort Taylor. Includes firing of the fort's Civil War cannons. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park (entrance at Southard Street beyond Whitehead).

6 p.m. Bloody Battle Parties celebrating the Great Battle for the Conch Republic. Party with the pros and watch the seafaring action from the Sunset Pier at Ocean Key Resort, Zero Duval St.; the sunset deck and Bistro 245 at Key West Hilton Resort & Marina, 245 Front St.; or the beachfront bar and restaurant at the Pier House Resort, One Duval St.

7 p.m. Conch Republic Naval Parade and Great Battle for the Conch Republic. Sponsored by the Flagship Schooner Wolf. An outrageous battle like no other, held in Key West Harbor.

9 p.m. Victory party at Schooner Wharf Bar. Celebrating the republic's triumph over the evil forces of the "U.S. Border Patrol." Special presentations to the Conch Republic Navy. For info, visit www.schoonerwharf.com or call (305) 292-3302.

SATURDAY, APRIL 29

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Conch Republic Crafts Show and Food Fest sponsored by the Cultural Preservation Society. Arts, crafts, food. Greene Street between Duval and Whitehead.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. The Great Conch Republic Conch-Cours de Elegance. Classic car show with trophies awarded in three categories. All classic cars welcome. Free registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Hurricane Hole Marina, mile marker 4.2 oceanside U.S. Highway 1, Stock Island. To pre-register, call (305) 360-2910.

Noon - 5 p.m. Annual Conch Crawl showcasing some of Old Town Key West's best-known watering holes.

2-5 p.m. Fairvilla Megastore Conch Republic Red Ribbon Bed Race. Decorated beds are raced down Duval from Crowne Plaza La Concha to the Hog's Breath Saloon. To benefit Key West's AIDS Help Inc. For info, visit www.fairvilla.com or call (305) 292-0448.

3-7 p.m. Conch Republic Fiddler's Contest. Jam of blues, bluegrass and old-time music. An annual favorite. Green Parrot Bar. For info, visit www.greenparrot.com or call (305) 294-6133.

7 p.m. Pirate's Ball and Pig Roast at Schooner Wharf Bar. Music, food, fun and pirate costume competition. For info, visit www.schoonerwharf.com or call (305) 292-3302.

SUNDAY, APRIL 30

1 p.m. Wrecker's Cup Race Series Finale. One-way race to the reef re-enacts the ancient wrecking tradition of the Keys. Viewing from harborfront hotels and Mallory Square.

7 p.m. Awards ceremony for the Wrecker's Cup Race. Music, food, crazed sailors and awards. Schooner Wharf Bar. For info, visit www.schoonerwharf.com or call (305) 292-3302.

9-11:30 p.m. Great Conch Republic Stargazer Cruise. Aboard the Schooner Western Union with Joe Universe. See the rare appearance of the Northern Cross and Southern Cross together in the night sky while sailing the waters of the Conch Republic. Benefits the Conch Republic Foster Children's Fund. For info, visit www.schoonerwesternunion.com or call (305) 292-1766.

Schedule subject to change. For more information about the Conch Republic Independence Celebration, visit the republic's Web site at www.conchrepublic.com or call (305) 294-2298.