2022

Contestants in the Conch Republic Republic Blue Ribbon Bed Race navigate their entries down Duval Street Saturday, April 23, 2022, in Key West, Fla. The contest was one of a number of events being staged to celebrate the 40th Conch Republic Independence Celebration that commemorates a 1982 mock secession enacted by local leaders after the U.S. Border Patrol established, without warning, a roadblock at the top of the Florida Keys Overseas Highway. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Rob O’Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

Female impersonators navigate an obstacle course of tires during the Conch Republic Drag Race Saturday April 16, 2022, in Key West, Fla. The wacky drag challenge was part of Key West's 40th annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration, commemorating the Florida Keys' symbolic 1982 secession from the United States after the U.S. Border Patrol established a roadblock at the top of the Florida Keys Overseas Highway ostensibly to inspect vehicles for contraband. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Rob O’Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

Female impersonators sprint on balance beams during the Conch Republic Drag Race Saturday April 16, 2022, in Key West, Fla. The wacky drag challenge was part of Key West's 40th annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration, commemorating the Florida Keys' symbolic 1982 secession from the United States after the U.S. Border Patrol established a roadblock at the top of the Florida Keys Overseas Highway ostensibly to inspect vehicles for contraband. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Rob O’Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

An entrant in the Conch Republic Drag Race loses control of his shopping cart Saturday April 16, 2022, in Key West, Fla. There were no injuries. The wacky drag challenge was part of Key West's 40th annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration, commemorating the Florida Keys' symbolic 1982 secession from the United States after the U.S. Border Patrol established a roadblock at the top of the Florida Keys Overseas Highway ostensibly to inspect vehicles for contraband. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Rob O’Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

Female impersonators push occupied shopping carts during the Conch Republic Drag Race Saturday April 16, 2022, in Key West, Fla. The wacky drag challenge was part of Key West's 40th annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration, commemorating the Florida Keys' symbolic 1982 secession from the United States after the U.S. Border Patrol established a roadblock at the top of the Florida Keys Overseas Highway ostensibly to inspect vehicles for contraband. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Rob O’Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

Bat Masterson blows a conch shell to help begin the 10-day Conch Republic Independence Celebration marking the 40th anniversary of Key West’s April 23, 1982, mock secession from the United States following the U.S. Border Patrol’s sudden establishment of a roadblock at the top of the Florida Keys Overseas Highway. Border patrol agents created a miles-long traffic jam ostensibly searching for illegal drugs and other contraband. Key West government and tourism officials created the Conch Republic after their pleas to federal officials were denied, concluding that the Keys were being treated like a foreign country. The roadblock eventually faded away, but the awareness of the Conch Republic remains. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Rob O’Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

Paul Menta hoists a Conch Republic flag to formally begin the 10-day Conch Republic Independence Celebration marking the 40th anniversary of Key West’s April 23, 1982, mock secession from the United States following the U.S. Border Patrol’s sudden establishment of a roadblock at the top of the Florida Keys Overseas Highway. Border patrol agents created a miles-long traffic jam ostensibly searching for illegal drugs and other contraband. Key West government and tourism officials created the Conch Republic after their pleas to federal officials were denied, concluding that the Keys were being treated like a foreign country. The roadblock eventually faded away, but the awareness of the Conch Republic remains. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Rob O’Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)