Marathon

Local parades, beach parties, glittering fireworks and the creation of the world’s largest Key lime pie are to highlight Independence Day celebrations throughout the Florida Keys.

The Florida Keys & Key West are celebrating a bicentennial, or 200th anniversary, with heritage activities throughout Monroe County. Events commemorate the Florida Territorial Legislature’s July 3, 1823, establishment of the county, which contains the entire Florida Keys.

?Scott Dekle, vice president of Marathon’s Keys Fisheries for the last 18 months, grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, spending endless hours on and in the water.

A team of two brothers from Pennsylvania took top honors at the Tarponian Invitational that wrapped up May 10 in Marathon after three evenings of fishing.

Richie Moretti — founder of the Turtle Hospital as the world’s first state-licensed veterinary hospital for sea turtles — has rescued, rehabilitated and released between 2,000 and 3,000 sea turtles.

Florida Keys visitors and residents can commemorate the subtropical island chain’s bicentennial with events including a sunset celebration on the Middle Keys’ Old Seven Mile Bridge, a gala sea-to-table dinner in Islamorada, a family-style waterfront picnic in Key Largo and Lower Keys festivities and fireworks highlighted by the creation of the world’s largest Key lime pie.