| Vol. 5, No. 8 |
Travel News From The Florida Keys & Key West |
June 2009 |
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A 13-year project to create a new artificial reef off the Florida Keys for sport divers and anglers successfully culminated May 27 with the scuttling of a 523-foot-long former U.S. Air Force missile tracking ship.
It took just a minute and 54 seconds to sink the Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg, situated about seven miles south of Key West. The bottom of the ship's hull rests on sand in depths that average 145 feet. But the ship is so massive that the superstructure begins about 45 feet below the surface.
Now open to the public for diving, the wreck is already fulfilling its promise of attracting visitors to the Florida Keys. The Vandenberg's mammoth size and interesting superstructure should be appealing to scuba divers of different skill sets.
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"This is going to probably be one of the world's classiest wrecks to dive," said Bob Holston, owner of Dive Key West and president of the Keys Association of Dive Operators. "And it's just a cornerpiece of the wreck trek of the Florida Keys."
The Vandenberg completes the southernmost part of the Florida Keys Shipwreck Trail, a series of intentionally sunk vessels that begins off Key Largo with a former Navy landing ship dock, the Spiegel Grove, and ends with the Vandenberg.
Click here to learn more about the world's newest artificial reef, located about seven miles off Key West in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
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Hemingway Days Honors Author's Legacy July 21-26
Stocky white-bearded Ernest Hemingway look-alikes, aspiring writers and fans of Hemingway's work are to converge on Key West for the island city's 29th annual Hemingway Days, honoring the legacy of the American literary giant who spent the 1930s in Key West. For details, click here.
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'Beatles' to Rock the Reef During Underwater Music Fest
Forty years after the release of the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine" album, divers costumed as the iconic quartet are to star in the 25th annual Underwater Music Festival off the Lower Florida Keys. Learn more about the submerged songfest by clicking here.
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ARTS & CULTURE
Goombay Summer Fest, a high-energy family-friendly street festival featuring live music, is set to celebrate the Keys' Bahamian-flavored heritage June 27. Click here to join the fun.
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DIVING
Divers can work side by side with marine scientists to assist in reef building during a coral restoration workshop set for June 23-26. Become a "citizen scientist" by clicking here.
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FISHING
Tarpon fishing stays hot into the summer at the Gold Cup Invitational Tarpon Tournament, a challenge that pits 25 anglers against the tenacious tarpon of the Keys for four straight days of fishing. "Catch" the details by clicking here.
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"KEYS VOICES"
When John Richmond stopped piloting DC3s to take the helm of a Key West bar and restaurant, his workplace didn't change — he still plies his trade at Key West International Airport. Click here to "meet" the man behind the Conch Flyer.
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June 12-14
in Big Pine &
the Lower Keys
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Big Pine & Lower Keys Dolphin Tournament
Anglers in this annual event are to compete to catch dolphin fish, one of the most popular and best-tasting summertime fish off the Keys. Contact (305) 872-2411 or click here.
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June 13
in Key West
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The Original FKCC Swim Around Key West
This USMS-sanctioned event is a 12.5-mile open-water swim clockwise around the island of Key West for solo athletes and relay teams. Contact Lori Bosco at (305) 809-3562, e-mail aqualb@aol.com or click here.
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June 19-20
in Islamorada
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Island Grill Blue Water Dolphin Tournament
This event incorporates a one-day dolphin tournament with an optional Father/Son Fun Fish on Father's Day weekend, to benefit Baptist Hospital's Children's Cancer Center. Contact (305) 664-8400, e-mail keysislandgrill@bellsouth.net or click here.
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June 19-21
in Big Pine &
the Lower Keys
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Cudjoe Gardens Dolphin Tournament
Sponsored by Pirate Wellness Center, this tournament benefits the Cancer Foundation of the Florida Keys, Domestic Abuse Shelter, Reef Relief, and the SeaBee Foundation. Contact (305) 744-3348, e-mail Waltd@piratewellnesscenter.com or click here.
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June 26-28
in Marathon
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9th Annual Burdine's Waterfront Dolphin & Blackfin Tuna Tournament
The tournament kicks off Friday with a captains meeting and anglers fish Saturday and Sunday, competing for prizes for dolphin, tuna and wahoo. Contact (305) 743-5317, e-mail sjburdine@gmail.com or click here.
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July 4
in Marathon
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Marathon Beach Party and Fireworks Show
Enjoy Independence Day at Marathon's Sombrero Beach. Attractions include live music all day, food, fun, sun and a fireworks extravaganza at night. For more info, call the Marathon Chamber of Commerce at (305) 743-5417.
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July 7-9
in Islamorada
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Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championship Tournament
Tournament winners from around the world are to compete for one of the most prized angling trophies. The tournament features challenging inshore fishing for permit, tarpon, bonefish, redfish and snook. Contact (305) 664-5423, e-mail flkeyout@bellsouth.net or click here.
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July 22-25
in Key West
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Key West Marlin Tournament
Anglers are to hunt for the mightiest of the offshore species in the same waters plied by novelist Ernest Hemingway. Contact (305) 292-2710 or click here.
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July 31-Aug. 8
in Key Largo
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Key Largo Food & Wine Festival
This nine-day fest is all food and wine: wine education, cookbook signings, wine dinners, art, free-pour wine events, progressive dinners and an all-around great time. What better reason to come to Key Largo? Contact (305) 394-3736, e-mail foodandwine@fkrm.com or click here.
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Aug. 1-2
in Key Largo
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Publix Family Fitness Weekend
Looking for a way to stay fit and enjoy the Florida outdoors? The 5k Run/Walk at Publix Family Fitness Weekend is just the ticket! For details, click here.
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