Fantasy Fest, Key Wests outrageous costuming and masking festival, is to turn bipartisan, taking aim at Americas upcoming presidential elections. Set for Friday, Oct. 17, through Sunday, Oct. 26, the rowdy revelry is themed Pirates, Pundits and Political Party Animals.
A weekly webcast of news and events in the Florida Keys.
01:34
Saltwater Fly Fishing the Florida Keys - Fly Fishing a Wreck
http://www.saltwaterangler.com/ Saltwater fly fishing is the ultimate Challenge. Join Capt. Tony Murphy as he takes us just off shore in Key West for some crazy saltwater fly fishing action on a wreck in the Florida Keys.
00:56
Pirates Play Poker Underwater at Florida Keys Fest
http://www.fla-keys.com/ Under seemingly inquisitive eyes of a goliath grouper and other marine species, Scuba-donned swashbucklers took to the seas for wild-eyed hands of five-card stud in an Underwater Pirates Poker Tournament that highlighted the second annual Key Largo Pirates Fest this weekend in the Florida Keys. A group of pirate-clad poker players exchanged water-soaked playing cards and chips Saturday about 30 feet beneath the surface of the in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The poker game was hosted by Captain Slates Atlantis Dive Center, and part of a weekend festival which culminates with a Buccaneer Finale Sunday, with events including a parade with floats and costume contests, live-steel swordplay, an artillery-clad re-enactment of the notorious pirate Black Caesars return, a By-Land-or-Sea Booty Hunt and a Pirate Bazaar and Thieves Market.
Key West's 30th annual Fantasy Fest begins today (Oct. 23), kicking off a 10-day schedule of masking and costuming balls, lively street parties and costume contests for those who want to dress up, dress down or bare whatever they dare. Themed "Villains, Vixens, and Vampires," the festival continues through Sunday, Nov. 1, with more than 40 individual events. Fantasy Fest debuted in 1979 as a weekend party, conceived by local merchants to enliven a traditionally slow period. It has since grown into an extravaganza famed for its flamboyance and internationally recognized as Key West's premier festival. Tonight, an evening coronation ball to crown the festival king and queen. Aspiring royals earn their crowns by raising money for the Keys' AIDS Help organization. Since 1989, candidates have amassed more than $2.8 million for the nonprofit. Friday and Saturday, partiers can enjoy island-style food, crafts, music and fun at the Goombay celebration in Key West's historic Bahama Village. Other ...
01:16
Florida Keys Overseas Highway is named All-American Road
http://www.fla-keys.com/ The Florida Keys Overseas Highway, from just north of Key Largo to Key West, is now an All-American Road. The designation was announced Friday by Federal transportation officials, during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The Keys highway is the only All-American Road in Florida. It's the highest recognition possible under the National Scenic Byways program established by the U.S. Congress in 1991. Only 30 other roadways in the nation have earned the prestigious title. Originally completed in 1938, the Overseas Highway incorporates 42 bridges over the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. They include the Seven Mile Bridge at Marathon, which stretches 6.79 miles across open water and was referred to on its completion as "the eighth wonder of the world." Under the Federal Highway Administrations National Scenic Byways program, roads can be recognized as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads based on their archeological, cultural, historic, ...
http://www.boccemovie.com/ There is nothing quite like bocce in Key West. Southernmost Bocce is a cross section of sport, characters, and comedy never seen by those outside of its circle. It is filled with as much competition as any semi professional sports league, more beer than your average bar, mixed with an insanity that can only be found in Key West. Southernmost Bocce captures the essence of what living in Key West is, what life on the bocce court and the The Conch republic is all about. There are no classes; there is no judging, no body cares who you are. All that matters is if you can have a good time, drink a few beers, talk some trash and play a little bocce.
01:41
Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada rebuilds after new years eve fire
ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys â A major Florida Keys luxury resort is poised to reopen after a 2009 New Years Eve fire that heavily damaged its main lodge. Cheeca Lodge & Spa has been closed to the public since Jan. 1, while the shell of the main lodge was torn down and plans were developed for a replacement. Friday, a topping off event marks the highlight of an intensive 90-day major construction project that features 62 concrete, pre-greened modular suites trucked to the Florida Keys from Ockeechobee and hoisted in place with cranes. The 840-square-foot-suites have been delivered with fully-equipped bathrooms -- incorporating marble tile floors, granite counter tops, bath fixtures, and marble and glass rain showers -- and all electrical wiring and cabling throughout the suite. The modules are highly insulated, environmentally sustainable, energy efficient and can withstand a category 5 hurricane. The units are 30 percent fabricated from recycled materials. Cheecas new four-story main lodge incorporates ...
02:59
Key West Bed & Breakfast -The Harbor Inn - Old Town Key West
http://www.keywestharborinn.com/ A Key West Bed and Breakfast located in the heart of Old Town Key West, the Key West Harbor Inn is perfect for a luxurious relaxing vacation or a romantic getaway. Our Key West Inn will fulfill your dream of a magnificent Key West vacation. We invite you to step inside our Key West Inn and visit one of the premier B&Bâs in the area, the Key West Harbor Inn. We offer luxury Key West bed and breakfast accommodations â perfect for a relaxing vacation or a romantic getaway. Imagine the magnificent Key West sunsets and tall ships sailing towards the horizon. Snorkeling around the famed Dry Tortugas, fishing some of the best waters in Florida, or just relaxing by our tropical pool â these are a few of the many activities that are just steps away from our Key West Inn. The Key West Harbor Inn. You may never want to leave⦠Isnât it time to discover why?
http://cosmotheboatcat.com/ Cosmo the Cat, like all self-respecting cats, does not like getting wet. Imagine his horror when is person-friend Melody tells him they are going to move from dry land to a house boat - on the water! Follow the adventures of Cosmo as he learns about conquering his fears while he makes new friends and explores the fragile environment of the coral reef.
Hit the road as motorcyclists from throughout the United States travel one of America's most scenic highways for charity during the annual Key West Poker Run. Riders on as many as 10,000 bikes are expected to traverse the Overseas Highway which stretches 113 miles from mainland Florida to Key West and crosses 43 bridges. The Atlantic Ocean lies on one side of the highway, with Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico on the other, providing Poker Run participantâs breathtaking vistas of open sea and sky. Poker Run participants leave Miami and head down the Overseas Highway, stopping at designated points along the way to draw cards, before ending in Key West. A section of lower Duval Street, Key Westâs main thoroughfare, is closed to car traffic so bikers display their bikes. Live music as well as food and libations add to the eventâs appeal. Sponsored by Phil Petersonâs Harley-Davidson, the Key West Poker Run serves as an important fundraiser for several South Florida charities.
http://fla-keys.com Aerial, on-board and underwater video of the sinking of the 2nd largest artificial reef just off the coast of Key West. This 13-year project to create a new artificial reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary finally ended May 27, 2009, with the intentional sinking of the former missile-tracking ship the Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg. The 523-foot-long ship is situated about seven miles south of Key West. The bottom of the shipâs hull rests on sand at depths between 140 and 150 feet. But the ship is so massive that the superstructure extends to about 45 feet below the surface. Even though the process to acquire, fund, permit, rid the Vandenberg of potential environmental contaminants and tow her to Key West took 13 years, only a minute and fifty four seconds were needed to sink her after a demolition team ignited forty four explosivesâ cutting charges.
01:00
Cultured Coral Reproducing for First Time in Florida Keys
http://fla-keys.com Marine scientists in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary have documented the first known case where Atlantic-Caribbean, farm-raised coral has reproduced to serve as a foundation for future reefs. The discovery is significant because it proves that cultured staghorn corals can not only survive, but also reach sexual maturity and naturally help with coral restoration, marine researchers said. This is real exciting because this is the future of trying to rebuild these reefs, said Ken Nedimyer, president of the Coral Restoration Foundation and has been involved in coral restoration projects for the past nine years. "What were trying to do is to put the girls and the boys back together in the same room so theyll make babies." Both staghorn, as well as elkhorn corals, are classifed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act and historically are primary reef-building corals in Florida and the Caribbean. Harvested staghorn gametes were taken to a shoreside laboratory ...
http://www.waterfrontplayhouse.org/ Waterfront Playhouse, a not-for-profit, professional theater located in Mallory Square in Old Town, Key West, Florida, presents comedies, dramas, musicals, outreach programs, classes, audience talk-backs, an alternative venue, plays, readings and more.
http://www.gottavisitnyc.com/ New York City is the most pet friendly city in the world. To prove it, two cute yorkie puppies, Schmitty and Pudge, invite you on a tour of their "New York City". Follow the adventures of these delightful Yorkies as they visit all of New York City's famous landmarks. Starting at Grant's Tomb in Harlem, they head south to visit the Seinfeld gang's favorite restaurant and then rest their tired paws with a carriage ride through Central Park. After a hot dog at Gray's Papaya the pooches bump into Regis on their way down to Times Square to meet the Naked Cowboy before catching a matinee on Broadway. Then it's off to the Empire State Building for a dog's eye view of Manhattan. A taxi to Tiffany's for a little retail therapy is the perfect prelude to an afternoon massage. Nothing caps off a day in NYC better than watching the sunset over the Statue of Liberty.
07:05
The Most Fun You Can Have In Bed With Your Clothes On
The 26th annual Conch Republic Red Ribbon Bed Race, sponsored by Fairvilla Megastore, features decorated beds propelled down Key Westâs famed Duval Street by teams of strange bedfellows. Each entry in the offbeat race incorporated a bed mounted on wheels. It was pushed or pulled down Duval by costumed race team members, while at least one other team member was required to ride on the bed. Events included a parade of decorated beds along Duval Street. Racing action followed, with pairs of teams pitted against each other to pilot their beds as fast as possible to the finish line. All proceeds benefit AIDS Help, Inc. of Key West, Florida - A non-profit community based organization that conducts health education outreach programs throughout the Florida Keys.
03:19
Video of Florida Keys: Tropical & Lifestyle Video Production
http://www.digitalislandmedia.com Digital Island Media is a Florida based Full Service Video Production Company that specializes in Lifestyle Footage, Resort Marketing, Broadcast Television and ENG work for Key West, the Florida Keys, South Florida, the Caribbean and beyond. Steve Panariello - Director of Photography Chad Newman - Editor
03:02
Aerial Video - Aerial Photography - Aerial Cinematography
http://www.digitalislandmedia.com Digital Island Media is a Florida based Video Production Company that specializes in Aerial Videography in Key West, the Florida Keys, South Florida and beyond. We film all manner of HD Aerial Video footage from helicopters hand-held using camera stabilization. We have produced Hi-Def aerial video for Broadcast Television, Corporate Videos, Advertising, Industrials and Real Estate. Steve Panariello - Director of Aerial Photography Chad Newman - Editor
http://fla-keys.com/ Ernest Hemingway look-alikes take to the streets during Key West's annual âRunning of the Bulls,â a lighthearted and much safer salute to the famed annual event in Pamplona, Spain. Key Westâs bull ramble featured scores of stocky, white-bearded Hemingway look-alikes and a herd of fake bulls indigenous to Key West. The event began outside Sloppy Joeâs Bar, Ernest Hemingwayâs favorite local watering hole and proceeds through a lively street fair on the island cityâs famed Duval Street. The sporting spoof was a highlight of Key Westâs Hemingway Days celebration, honoring the American literary giant who lived and wrote on the island throughout the 1930s.
http://www.saltwaterangler.com/ Capt. Tony Murphy takes us on the adventure of a lifetime...saltwater fly fishing for blackfin tuna just off the coast of Key West in the Florida Keys.
Where can you combine diving and snorkeling with music? At the Underwater Music Festival off Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
A recovered loggerhead sea turtle named after President Barack Obama was released in the Atlantic Ocean off Key West on the 4th of July. The turtle was rescued on Key West's Higgs Beach on Jan. 19, the day before Obama's inauguration. It was then transported to the Turtle Hospital in Marathon. "The turtle came in at a historic moment and was named after the new president, so we thought it was appropriate to release 'Obama' to freedom on America's Independence Day," Butts said. About 100 people watched the turtle's release. "We got the turtle down on the sand and it took off," Butts said. "It was so excited and swam away with all the energy it had."
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