Vol. 2, No. 2

December 2005

---

Photos by Rob O’Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau

A decorated boat sails by during a Keys Christmas boat parade in 2004.

Holiday Happenings Spice Florida Keys Calendar

Carol Shaughnessy
Florida Keys News Bureau

FLORIDA KEYS – From Key Largo to Key West, the holiday calendar is packed with events designed to spread holiday cheer. Listed here are some highlights — all spiced with an individualistic Florida Keys flair.

Through Dec. 20, Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. 1-4 p.m.

Garden Club Holiday Exhibit and Tree Show (Marathon)

Fifth Avenue in New York has nothing on the Marathon Garden Club, MM (mile marker) 50 bayside, when it comes to holiday decorating. The dozen or so trees are full of artistic delights, ideas and surprises. $5 for adults, special group rates, seniors (age 65 and older) $2.50 on Wednesdays, students (age 6-17) $2, no charge for children under age six. Call (305) 743-4971.

Friday, Dec. 16, Evening

“Light up Lower Keys” Holiday Decoration Contest Judging (Lower Keys)

This contest encourages holiday-lovers from Sugarloaf Key through Big Pine Key to adorn their homes and businesses with festive decorations. Prizes will be awarded following the judging. Call (305) 872-0106.

Friday through Sunday, Dec. 16-18

“Nutcracker Key West “ (Key West)

Key West’s Founders Society presents the beloved classic ballet, recreated with a decidedly Key West twist. Written and produced by local dance artist Joyce Stahl, the production stars principal dancers from the New York City Ballet and features young Keys dancers. Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Glynn Archer Center for the Performing Arts at Key West High School, 2100 Flagler Ave. Ticket prices range from $15 to $50. For tickets, call (305) 295-7676 or visit www.keystix.com.

Saturday, Dec. 17, 4:30 p.m.

Marathon Community Theater Free Holiday Concert (Marathon)

Kathryn Rummery is to direct the group’s annual gift to the community, a Christmas concert on stage at the theater, MM 50 oceanside. Contact: (305) 743-0408 or visit marathontheater.org.

Saturday, Dec. 17, 4 p.m.

Pops in the Park Family Holiday Concert (Islamorada)

It’s always a wonderful afternoon when Conductor Robert Sax and Concertmaster Susan Bazin direct the Florida Keys Community Concert Band in a “Pops in the Park” free concert featuring holiday music and favorite standards. The band invites local amateur musicians of all ages to participate. New musicians are welcome at any time. Founders Park, MM 87 bayside. Call (305) 853-7294.

Saturday, Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m.

17th annual Holiday Boat Parade (Key Largo)

Spectators can watch the seafaring procession from the bayfront area on Blackwater Sound, around MM 103. Each entry in the fabulous parade of decorated, musical boats competes for cash prizes and yearlong bragging rights. The “Winter Wonderland” parade is to begin at the headpin at Dusenbury Creek and head along the shoreline to the tip of Stillwright Point. Call the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce at (800) 822-1088 for more information.

Saturday, Dec. 17, 8 p.m.

Schooner Wharf Bar/Captain Morgan Lighted Boat Parade (Key West)

Lighted and decorated vessels, from rowboats to tall ships, proceed around Key West’s Historic Seaport and harbor areas. The parade is to be led by sax man Clarence Clemons, renowned for his contributions to Bruce Springsteen’s legendary E Street Band, who is to perform for the crowd. Spectators can watch and applaud from bars, restaurants and resorts in and around the Historic Seaport. Call (305) 292-3302.

Sunday, Dec. 18, 3 p.m.

Southernmost Christmas Tree Celebration (Key West)

Holiday revelers enjoy free conch chowder, then board Conch Tour Trains to proceed to the continental United States’ Southernmost Point to set up the Southernmost Christmas Tree at sunset overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The event is an annual community thank-you party presented by the Monroe Association for Retarded Citizens. Old Harris School, 812 Southard St. Call (305) 296-9556.

Monday, Dec. 26, through Sunday, Jan. 1

Kwanzaa Celebration (Key West)

Presented by the Bahama Conch Community Land Trust, the island city’s Kwanzaa events incorporate activities celebrating family-oriented values. Activities honor Umoja, or unity (Dec. 26); Kujichagulia, or self-determination (Dec. 27); Ujima, or collective work and responsibility (Dec. 28); Ujamma, or cooperative economics (Dec. 29); Nia, or purpose (Dec. 30); and Kuumba, or creativity (Dec. 31). The final day’s festivities, Jan. 1, celebrate Imani or faith. For a schedule of event times and places, call (305) 294-0884.

Thursday and Friday, Dec. 29-30, 5-8 p.m.

Holiday House Tours (Key West)

Presented by the Old Island Restoration Foundation, the annual self-guided tours showcase five festively dressed private Key West homes and gardens. Proceeds benefit the Old Island Restoration Foundation’s museums, collection and education, grant and scholarship programs. Tickets with maps to the featured homes are $25 per person, available one week before the tours at the Oldest House Museum & Gardens, 322 Duval St.; TIB Bank, 330 Whitehead St.; Senses at Play Gallery, 1022 Duval St., or during the tour at any featured home. Contact: OIRF at (305) 294-9501 or (305) 294-9502, or visit www.oirf.org.

Saturday, Dec. 31, Just Before Midnight

Key West New Year’s Eve Celebrations (Key West)

The Southernmost City celebrates New Year’s Eve with a “conch shell drop” at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, 201 Duval St.; the descent of a six-foot red high heel shoe carrying drag queen Sushi at the Bourbon Street Pub/New Orleans House complex, 730 Duval St.; and the descent of a pirate wench from the top of the 101-foot mast of the tall ship Liberty Clipper in the island city’s Historic Seaport. Contact: Call (305) 296-2388, ext. 21, regarding Sloppy Joe’s conch shell drop; (305) 294-4737 regarding the high heel drop; (305) 292-3302 regarding the descent of the pirate wench.

Sushi gets ready to descend to ring in the New Year.

Saturday, Dec. 31, Midnight

New Year’s Eve Fireworks on Blackwater Sound (Key Largo)

It’s a community celebration that brings people from all over the Southeast to welcome 2006. Best viewing and partying is at Sundowners, Senor Frijoles, Cactus Jack’s, Gus’ Grille at the Marriott Key Largo Bay Beach Resort and Caribbean Club. Call (305) 451-4502.

Saturday, Dec. 31, Midnight

New Year’s Eve at Holiday Isle (Islamorada)

The Tiki Bar and Rumrunners Beach will be rocking when Holiday Isle, MM 84 oceanside, hosts its annual bash — sometimes called a New Year’s Eve Party. Food, drinks, a sandy beach, warm water and live music set the scene for one of the Keys’ hottest midnight fireworks displays. Contact (305) 664-2321.

Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006, 8 a.m.

Village New Year’s Day Celebration (Islamorada)

What’s needed to get the old heart beating again after a long night of hard partying and a short nap is a good old-fashioned race. Islamorada’s annual 5K Run, Walk and Crawl begins at about 8 a.m. in Founders Park, MM 87 bayside. Entry fee is $15 in advance, $20 day of race. Registration begins Dec. 1. The day continues (or starts) at about 10:30 a.m. with a boat parade and blessing of the fleet at Whale Harbor Channel, MM 84 oceanside. Contact: (305) 853-1685.

Photo by Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau

Farr 40 boats display their spinnakers as they compete during last year’s Key West Race Week.

The final entry deadline for Acura Key West 2006 is still several weeks away but never in the 19-year history of North America’s premiere mid-winter yachting regatta has it seen such a gathering of international grand prix boats and sailing greats.

Top names like Coutts, Kostecki, Chieffi, Butterworth, Baird and Melges are among the who’s who in sailing that have already registered, according to event director Peter Craig, adding that he anticipates a total fleet size of about 300 boats.

There is to be fierce class racing on all four race circles with numerous one design and handicap classes highlighting the competition.

The Swan 45 Gold Cup — featuring 16 of Nautor’s Swan luxury racing boats from Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the U.S. — will crown a 2006 World Champion at week’s end.

The Farr 40 start at Key West should again be a photographer’s dream with an impressive 25-boat fleet. A world championship caliber fleet hails from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Canada and both US coasts and the Great Lakes. Current North American champion Robert Hughes (Heartbreaker) will have two former world champions, Jim Richardson (Barking Mad) and Massimo Mezzaroma (Nerone) to contend with in this highly competitive class.

The Melges 24 may be the smallest boat in the fleet but they remain the biggest class by a considerable margin. A December world championship in Key Largo, that begins Sunday, should translate into record numbers of international entries continuing their battles in Key West. A 70-boat turnout of these high-octane racers is expected.

More details are available at www.premiere-racing.com.

Nearly 100 percent of Florida Keys lodging entities and attractions have reopened after Hurricane Wilma paid the Florida Keys an unwelcome visit in late October.

Among a few properties that have not reopened their doors is Little Palm Island, an upscale luxury resort off Big Pine Key in the Lower Keys. Little Palm is set to reopen this Friday, Dec. 16, according to Susan Howarth, director of sales and marketing for the resort.

Also back in operation is Fort Jefferson, one of the largest coastal forts ever built, in the historic Dry Tortugas National. The Yankee Freedom II Dry Tortugas National Park Ferry, Sunny Days Catamaran and Seaplanes of Key West, which provide daily tours to Fort Jefferson, have resumed service.

Both Florida Keys Marathon Airport and Key West International Airport are operating normally with full return of commercial and general aviation service during morning and evening hours.

Hurricane Wilma passed over the island chain Oct. 24. Although Wilma’s winds left little structural damage, they impacted foliage in the Lower Keys and several residential regions were hit hard by storm surge, officials said.

For more details on the Keys after Wilma, call 1-800-FLA-KEYS or explore the Florida Keys Web site at www.fla-keys.com.

For more travel information on the Florida Keys:
www.fla-keys.com