FLORIDA KEYS ? The winter season in the Florida Keys & Key West is as lively as it is warm and sunny, with an array of events to entertain. From art shows to fine food festivals and beyond, the island chain has an event to spark virtually anyone?s interest.
While this piece lists selected 2013 winter highlights, a comprehensive schedule of events throughout the Keys can be found at www.fla-keys.com/calendarofevents/
Jan. 4-5: Ragnar Relay Florida Keys Race. Florida Keys. This 199-mile race takes relay teams of runners throughout the Florida Keys to the southernmost island in the continental U.S. The route begins in Miami and ends in Key West. Visit www.ragnarrelay.com/race/floridakeys
Jan. 10-13 & Jan. 17-20: 31st Annual Key West Literary Seminar. Key West. The 2013 seminar includes two independent sessions exploring the theme ?Writers on Writers.? Sessions spotlight the life and work of literary icons like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Emily Dickinson, John Cheever and Ernest Hemingway under the guidance of the contemporary writers and scholars who know them best. Writing workshops are scheduled Jan. 13-17. Visit www.kwls.org ?or call 1-888-293-9291.
Jan. 11-19: Uncorked ? the Key Largo and Islamorada Food & Wine Festival. Key Largo and Islamorada. Enjoy a multi-sensory experience as Key Largo and Islamorada?s culinary experts step up to the ?plate? to present nearly 30 tasty food, wine and spirits events. Savor the flavors of the Keys in 10 days of culinary events, cooking demonstrations, themed wine dinners, food and wine pairing classes, progressive wine dinners, art and wine shows and the festival finale, ?A Grand Tasting.? Call 305-394-3736 or email foodandwine@fkrm.com.
Jan. 19-20: Big Pine Key Nautical Flea Market. Big Pine & the Lower Keys. All things nautical are to be displayed and sold at the annual event. Other attractions include live music, food and beverages. The seafaring sale takes place on the grounds of the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, mile marker (MM) 31 oceanside. Visit www.lowerkeyschamber.com ?or call 305-872-2411.
Jan. 20-25: Key West Race Week 2013. Key West. Elite racing yachts compete for class championships in this international midwinter sailboat regatta. Visit www.premiere-racing.com ?or call 781-639-9545.
Jan. 24-27: Key West Food and Wine Festival. Key West. Top chefs and restaurateurs showcase their culinary creativity and the Keys? indigenous cuisine in a tasty schedule of events for food lovers. Attendees also can participate in food-related adventures during the savory celebration. Visit www.keywestfoodandwinefestival.com ?or call 800-474-4319.
Jan. 26-27: 28th Annual Key West Craft Show. Key West. Juried artisans and crafters display their talents at a popular show on lower Whitehead Street in historic Old Town Key West. Visit www.keywestartcenter.com/craft.html ?or call 305-294-1241.
Jan. 26-27: 4th Annual Key Largo Stone Crab & Seafood Festival. Key Largo. Attractions include fresh stone crabs, conch, local seafood, music, entertainment and fun for the entire family. The festival typically features cooking demonstrations, a peel-and-eat shrimp eating contest, kids? play area, arts and crafts vendors, magic shows, fireworks, Key lime pie and more. Visit www.KeyLargoFoodandWineFestival.com ?or call 305-451-4502.
Feb. 4-10: 29th Annual Winter Star Party. Big Pine & the Lower Keys. Approximately 600 astronomers from around the world gather to view southern constellations, comets and stars in the Lower Keys? clear night skies ? virtually the only place in the continental United States where they can be viewed. Lectures, programs and workshops round out the event.
Visit www.scas.org.
Feb. 23-24: 19th Annual Pigeon Key Art Festival. Marathon. Artists and craftspeople are to exhibit their work at Marathon Community Park, MM 49 oceanside. The event also includes live music and delicious food, and plans call for tours of historic Pigeon Key, a tiny island where Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad workers lived in the early 1900s. Visit www.pigeonkey.net ?or call 305-509-2559.
Feb. 23-24: Upper Keys Gigantic Nautical Flea Market. Islamorada. Hundreds of marine- and water sports-related vendors offer wares to thousands of buyers seeking deals on new and used boats, marine equipment, electronics, fishing tackle, dive gear, nautical arts and crafts, and more. The event is held at Founders Park, MM 87. Visit www.giganticnauticalfleamarket.org.
Feb. 23-24: Old Island Days Art Festival. Key West. The 48th annual juried fine art show is set on lower Whitehead Street in historic Old Town. The highly acclaimed show features oil paintings, watercolors, sculpture, photography and other offerings by artists from around the United States.
Visit www.keywestartcenter.com/festival.html ?or call 305-294-1241.
March 2: 7th Annual Sombrero Beach Run.
Marathon. Come for the run and stay for the sun. A comprehensive race format includes a 15k challenge, 10k run and 5k walk/run, all set for 8 a.m. at Sombrero Beach. Runners from around the Keys, country and world participate in this event organized by the Southernmost Runners Club. Visit www.sombrerobeachrun.com.
March 2: 51st Annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest. Key West. An island tradition that celebrates the historic importance of conch in the Keys, this unique contest features entrants in several age categories attempting to make ?music? with fluted conch shells. Visit www.oirf.org ?or call 305-294-9501.
March 9-10: The Original Marathon Seafood Festival. Marathon. Gourmet delicacies from the waters of the Florida Keys, live music, a kids? play area and an array of vendors highlight this family-friendly weekend event that generally attracts more than 20,000 seafood lovers to Marathon Community Park, MM 49 oceanside. Visit www.marathonseafoodfestival.com.
March 16: Woofstock Music Fair. Islamorada. A day of peace, paws and music comes alive as MarrVelous Pet Rescues and Adoptions hosts a family fun event at Islamorada?s Founders Park, MM 87. Join the ?fur out? festival featuring local rescue groups, food, drinks, vendors, contests, demonstrations and more. Admission is free and leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome. Visit www.keyswoofstock.com.
March 23-24: Naval Air Station Key West Southernmost Air Spectacular. Key West. The U.S. Navy flight demonstration team Blue Angels and other military and civilian aerial performances are to fill the skies at this free-admission, family-friendly event. Visit www.facebook.com/southernmostairspectacular/.
Florida Keys visitor information: www.fla-keys.com or 1-800-FLA-KEYS
Social: facebook.com/floridakeysandkeywest ? twitter.com/thefloridakeys ? youtube.com/FloridaKeysTV
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