Keys Event Calender

August 2011

 8/18/2011-8/21/2011 Tropical Heat The festival includes more than a dozen intriguingly decadent events ranging from drag shows to themed pool parties and gatherings at island clubs. www.tropicalheatkw.com or call (305) 294-4603. Key West.

September 2011

8/6/2011-3/31/2012 Regular Lobster Season There is a six lobster limit per licensed harvester per day. South Florida and the Florida Keys

9/2/2011-9/5/2011 2nd Annual Key West Brewfest What better way to spend a weekend than combining sun, fun, beer and a great cause? Southernmost Hotel Collection, Key West. www.keywestbrewfest.com 1-800-354-4455

9/6/2011-9/11/2011 Womenfest Key West Festival for lesbians and their friends. Key West, (305) 294-4603. www.womenfest.com

9/9/2011-9/11/2011 Robert James SLAM Celebrity Tournament S.L.A.M. (Southernmost Light Tackle Anglers Masters) In the first of three tournaments in the annual Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series, also called The Trilogy, anglers target tarpon, permit and bonefish to achieve the coveted "flats grand slam." The event raises funds for the fight against cystic fibrosis. Key West, (305) 664-2002

9/13/2011-9/16/2011 Islamorada Invitational Fall Fly Bonefish Tournament Also referred to as the "Fall Fly," this prestigious three-day test of skill and stealth challenges anglers to accrue points for both weight and release fish. The field is limited to 25 participants. Islamorada, (305) 942-0428.

9/15/2011-9/18/2011 39th Annual Phil Petersons Key West Poker Run Benefiting the Diabetes Research Institute. There are a number of big Florida motorcycle events and this poker run will have around 10,000 attendees. Key West blocks off an 8 block area of Duvall Street to allow attendees to be able to park and walk around the area. Key West, (305) 235-4023.

9/21/2011-9/25/2011 Florida Keys Birding & Wildlife Festival Anchored at Curry Hammock State Park, MM 56.2, Marathon, FL. Keys-wide, (305) 872-0774. www.keysbirdingfest.org/

9/30/2011-10/2/2011 Conchtober Fest A middle Keys event that is chock full of food, beverage, vendors, music and entertainment for the entire family. Hawks Cay Resort, Marathon, (305) 289-4901.

October 2011

10/01/2011-10/2/2011 Conchtober Fest A middle Keys event that is chock full of food, beverage, vendors, music and entertainment for the entire family. Hawks Cay Resort, Marathon, (305) 289-4901.

10/7/2011-10/9/2011 Baybone Celebrity Tournament The second of three tournaments in the annual Redbone Trilogy, the Baybone targets permit and bonefish to raise money for cystic fibrosis research. Islamorada, (305) 664-2002.

10/9/2011-10/12/2011 Islamorada All-Tackle Bonefish World Championship Only 25 competitors are accepted to participate, with one angler and a licensed captain per boat. Islamorada, (305) 942-0428.

10/15/2011 Stone Crab season opens Stone crab claws, brought fresh to shore from Florida Keys waters, will be steamed, cracked, plated and served dipped in melted butter or a savory mustard sauce. The 2011-2012 stone crab season continues through May 15. Florida Keys

10/15/2011-10/16/2011 Casting for Cats Ladies All-Tackle Backcountry Tournament In this fundraiser to help control the Upper Keys' feral cat population, female anglers earn points for catching bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook and redfish using bait, artificial lures or fly tackle. Points also are awarded for ladyfish, sharks, jacks and spotted sea trout (also known as speckled trout). Islamorada, (305) 393-6174.

10/20/2011-10/23/2011 Key Largo Pirates Fest Four days of Pirate-themed events! Pirate parade & bash. Costume contests. Pirate poker run. Booty hunt. Pirate shows, invasion & much more! Various locations in Key Largo, (305) 394-3736 www.keylargopiratesfest.com

10/21/2011-10/22/2011 4th Annual Mad Dog Mandich Fishing Classic A portion of the tournament proceeds benefits the Florida Keys Mariners Hospital. Islamorada, For entry information call (305) 667-0399.

10/21/2011-10/22/2011 Goombay Fantasy Fest The rich Caribbean tradition of Goombay Fantasy Fest the World Famous Street Festival ushers in Fantasy Fest each year with a street party featuring island arts and crafts, music and food in the Key West's historic Bahama Village neighborhood. Key West

10/21/2011-10/30/2011 Fantasy Fest Key West's most famous event is Fantasy Fest, a wild, week long extravaganza of events and parties, culminating in an all-out costume parade and street party. If Mardi Gras style celebrations are for you, Fantasy Fest is not to be missed. Key West, (305) 296-1817. www.fantasyfest.net

10/24/2011 Underwater Pumpkin Carving Surrounded by spectator fish against a coral reef background, divers off Key Largo will transform hollowed-out pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns during the Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest. Key Largo, (305) 451-3595.

10/27/2011 Sloppy Joes Annual Toga Party An unrestrained array of ancient fashions accented with attitude! Key West, (305) 296-2388 x121 or www.sloppyjoes.com.

November 2011

11/2/2011-11/6/2011 EcoWeek Florida Keys EcoSummit Key West, Recycled Runway Key Largo, Eco-Chef Showdown Marathon, Green Isle Music Festival Islamorada, Lionfish Safari Key West, Coral Restoration Project Key Largo, Go! Green Autocross Sugarloaf Key Keys-wide Event, www.ecoweekfloridakeys.com December 2011

December 2011

12/1/2011-12/4/2011 Islamorada Sailfish Tournament The first leg of the triple-crown Florida Keys Gold Cup Championship Series is characterized by high-flying sail action, conservation and sportsmanship. It's also the only tournament in the Gold Cup series to offer a junior division for anglers age 16 and younger. Islamorada, (305) 852-2102