Hemingway Days in The Florida Keys

Mark your calendars for The Florida Keys 32^nd Annual Hemingway Days.   From July 17 – July 22, 2012, hundreds (if not thousands) of Ernest Hemingway look-a-likes will descend on Key West.    It’s time to party in The Florida Keys and pay homage to one of The Keys most famous residents – Ernest Hemingway.

Hemingway called Key West home for nearly 10 years.  Many of the characters in To Have and To Have Not were based on the folks here in the Florida Keys.  He drank at many of the local watering holes.  And he loved fishing in the azure blue ocean waters.    The Hemingway House is a must-see for any Keys visitor – not just for the 6-toed cats, but for that infamous $20,000 pool too.   Sloppy Joes is the perfect place to cool off and knock back a cold one.

Hemingway Days are an annual tradition down here.   Keys residents love any reason to celebrate and this one ranks right up there.   This year’s schedule includes:

·         Annual Look-a-Like Contest:   Hundreds of Ernest Hemingway look-a-likes descend on Sloppy Joes to compete in the popular “Papa” Hemingway contest.   Two preliminary contests lead to the finals which lead to a coveted award.   Think you got what it takes?  You can sign up at Sloppy Joes to join the infamous Hemingway Look Alike Society and compete! www.sloppyjoes.com/lookalikes.htm

·         15^th Annual Running with the Bulls:   It’s a less dangerous, more gentle take on Spain’s famed Running with the Bulls.  In the Keys, the bulls are all plastic and the runners are Hemingway look-a-likes in this tongue and cheek take on one of Ernest’s favorite sporting events.   Scheduled for Saturday, July 21, 2012 at 1PM

·         Literary Events:  For literary lovers, there will be numerous book signings by some of today’s most famous authors.   Edward Hemingway, Ernest’s grandson, will debut his new book.  Winners of the acclaimed Hemingway literary competition will be announced.     For more details, visit www.fla-keys.com/hemingwaymedia/

·         Drambuie Key West Marlin Tournament:  Hemingway’s love of the sea is celebrated with this world-class fishing event.   With $50,000 in guaranteed cash prize money, anglers will be vying to catch dolphin, wahoo, tuna, and sailfish.  But, only the 1^st 75 boats are eligible.   Visit www.keywestmarlin.com/ for rules and registration information.

 

Interested in learning how to plan the ultimate Florida Keys vacation?  Our Florida Keys Pocket Travel Guide will help you do just that.  Our guide takes an in-depth look at each Key’s must see attractions, delectable restaurants, beaches, lodging, snorkeling, and fishing.

 

Have a Kindle, IPhone, or IPad?  Then, purchase our guide directly from the Kindle Store: www.amazon.com/dp/B005CJ85XI . Or purchase the PDF version from our website: greatamericanvacationideas.com/Florida.html