KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Whether composing novels in his Whitehead Street writing studio or fishing for big game in local waters, Pulitzer Prize–winning author Ernest Hemingway left a powerful legacy in Key West.

His zest for life, literary accomplishments and enduring affection for the island he called home throughout the 1930s are being commemorated now through Sunday, July 20, during the annual Hemingway Days celebration.

The schedule includes a popular look-alike contest, authors’ readings and presentations, an exhibition of rare Hemingway memorabilia, a three-day marlin tournament, an offbeat “Running of the Bulls” and the culmination of a short story contest directed by author and Hemingway granddaughter Lorian Hemingway.

The festival’s leading literary event is the announcement of the winners of the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition. Now in its 28th year, the internationally recognized contest awards $2,000 annually to emerging writers of short fiction, this year at Casa Antigua, 314 Simonton St., where Ernest Hemingway stayed during the 1928 visit that paved the way for his subsequent residence in Key West.

More than 1,100 manuscripts were entered and winners are to be announced on the contest's Web site today at www.shortstorycompetition.com.

An unquestioned festival standout is Sloppy Joe’s “Papa” Hemingway Look-Alike Contest, now in its 28th year. The competition traditionally draws as many as 125 stocky, bearded men to compete at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, 201 Duval St., the late author’s favorite Key West watering hole. Past look-alike winners choose the victor from the field of aspiring Ernests. This year's selection of the proud “Papa” is tonight in front of a standing-room-only crowd.

For more information and contest registration, visit www.sloppyjoes.com.

The “Papas” also take part in other festival activities, including the infamous “Running of the Bulls” — a zany salute to Pamplona’s sporting challenge that rampages through the Key West streets beginning at 1 p.m. today. No actual bulls are allowed in the lighthearted melee, but spectators can expect to spot manmade bovine replicas.

Other look-alike events traditionally include public photo opportunities, a dockside “fish-off” and scholarship presentations to Florida Keys students.

Those who seek to emulate Ernest Hemingway’s fabled angling prowess can do so during the 2008 Drambuie Key West Marlin Tournament. The tournament offers three days of challenging fishing, with more than $250,000 in available cash prizes for top catches of marlin and other fish.

For results, visit www.keywestmarlin.com.

In addition, Hemingway aficionados can view an ongoing exhibition at the Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House, 281 Front St. The unique exhibit features rare Hemingway family photographs, documents and memorabilia relating to the author’s personal life in the island city.

Other events during the festival include daily tours of the author’s former Key West home at 907 Whitehead St., Sloppy Joe’s Arm Wrestling Competition, a lively Caribbean street fair along Key West’s Duval Street and a reading of the thought-provoking play “Storm Surge” by noted southern playwright Hubert Grissom.

Additional festival information and a complete schedule of events can be found at www.hemingwaydays.net

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.