KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Stocky white-bearded Ernest Hemingway look-alikes, aspiring writers and fans of Hemingway’s work are to converge on Key West now through Sunday, July 26, for the island city’s 29th annual Hemingway Days.

The festival, which begins on the 110th anniversary of Hemingway’s July 21 birth, honors the legacy of the American literary giant who lived and wrote in Key West throughout the 1930s.

Events include a look-alike contest for Hemingway imitators, a leading American short story competition directed by the author’s granddaughter, literary readings and book signings, a museum exhibit of rare Hemingway memorabilia, a zany “Running of the Bulls” spoof featuring Hemingway look-alikes, a one-man play exploring Ernest’s life and motivations, and a three-day marlin tournament recalling his devotion to the deep-sea sport.

The festival’s leading literary event is the announcement of the winners of the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition. Now in its 29th year, the internationally recognized contest awards $2,000 annually to emerging writers of short fiction.

Lorian Hemingway, best known for her powerful memoir “Walk on Water,” is to announce the victorious writers and introduce the first-place story at an 8 p.m. reception Friday, July 24. The awards gala is to take place at Casa Antigua, 314 Simonton St., where Ernest Hemingway stayed during his first visit to Key West in 1928. For contest information, visit shortstorycompetition.com.

As many as 125 men resembling Ernest are to vie for the coveted title of “Papa” during a three-night competition at Sloppy Joe’s Hemingway Look-Alike Contest, held at Sloppy Joe’s, 201 Duval St., Hemingway’s favorite Key West watering hole.

A second preliminary round takes place at 6:30 p.m. Friday, with finalists advancing to the hard-fought contest finale at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25. Past look-alike winners choose the victor from the field of Hemingway hopefuls, and contestants traditionally bring exuberant cheering sections that pack Sloppy Joe’s each night.

The bearded brethren also take part in other festival activities, including the wacky “Running of the Bulls.” Saluting Spain’s annual adventurers’ challenge, Key West’s “bull bash” takes to the streets surrounding Sloppy Joe’s beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday. The bulls themselves might be manmade replicas, but the enthusiasm of parading participants is as real as their thick white beards.

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

During Hemingway’s Key West years, he spent much of his leisure time fishing for “big game” in Florida Keys waters. His passion for sport fishing is celebrated in the 2009 Key West Marlin Tournament, through Saturday, July 25.

Participating anglers are to pursue marlin, tuna, dolphin fish and wahoo while competing for $50,000 in guaranteed cash prizes. Anglers are to spend three days fishing in Keys waters and taking part in activities including an island-style pig roast, dockside fish fry, party on Key West’s famed Duval Street and Saturday night awards banquet. For more information and registration, visit keywestmarlin.com.

Hemingway aficionados also can view an ongoing exhibition at the museum that 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 Ernest’s former Key West home at 907 Whitehead St., Sloppy Joe’s Hemingway Days Arm Wrestling Championship, a lively Caribbean street fair along Duval Street, a 5k sunset run and a sidewalk art show outside the illustrious Green Parrot Bar that spotlights Key West’s creative spirit.

View a complete schedule of events, or, for additional festival information, click here.

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.