Key West

Ernest Hemingway look-alikes, writers, anglers and fans of the late author’s work are to converge on Key West Tuesday through Sunday, July 18-23, for the annual Hemingway Days celebration. The festival honors the legacy of the American literary giant who lived and wrote on the island for most of the 1930s.

More than 120 stocky, bearded men are to gather on the island Ernest Hemingway called home to emulate the author’s appearance and larger-than-life character during Sloppy Joe’s 37th annual Hemingway® Look-Alike Contest.  
 

Anglers targeting marlin and other fish are to compete for $50,000 in guaranteed cash prizes in the 2017 Havana Club Key West Marlin Tournament, scheduled Wednesday through Saturday, July 19-22. 

Shipwreck fans, treasure seekers and history buffs can commemorate salvager Mel Fisher’s discovery of the sunken Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha Thursday through Saturday, July 13-15, in the island city he called home.

Independence Day celebrations throughout the 125-mile-long Florida Keys island chain salute the nation’s freedom — and the quirky independent spirit of the Keys — with local parades, picnics and parties topped off by fireworks displays.

The Florida Keys’ sweetest treat is to be in the “limelight” Saturday through Tuesday, July 1-4, as fans of Key lime pie salute the island chain’s signature dessert and the tiny fruit that inspired it. 

Visitors can discover the Africana cultural heritage of America’s southernmost city during a festival and celebration Thursday through Sunday, June 22-25. 

Readers and writers can uncover valuable clues about enjoying and penning mystery fiction Friday through Sunday, June 16-18, from “suspects” including some of America’s most notable authors.

Lisa Ferringo of Summerland Key, Florida, caught a 24.84-pound dolphin fish to earn top honors in the women’s division of the inaugural Key West Co-Ed Mahi Masters tournament that ended Sunday, May 14.

Seventeen regional bartending champions are to converge on Key West Wednesday through Sunday, June 7-11, for the final rounds of the Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic, believed to be North America's largest annual LGBT bartender competition.