Save The Date!

Join us at The Mermaid & The Alligator on Saturday, Dec 3, 6pm for the Key West Holiday Parade Viewing Party. Its a great way to gear up for the holidays and all the proceeds benefit the Florida Keys Council of the Arts. Located at 729 Truman Ave, it is a great place to watch our Key West Holiday Parade, a fun-filled locals event featuring the high school marching band, plus numerous other students showing off their various talents. Our city EMT crew and the Fire Fighters will join in and of course Santa will be there too. Please join us to celebrate the opening of the holiday season and view the annual parade while enjoying appetizers, beverages and boundless merriment. $20 per person. For more information: 305-239-4369. info@keysarts.com

Key West Bight Before Christmas

Experience 6 weeks of Holiday fun along the Key West Historic Seaport, the old
"Key West Bight" Marina. The 2011 Harbor Walk of Lights brings the natural beauty
of the Key West waterfront alive with the sparkle of holiday lights. The Key West Harbor Walk of Lights stretches for four blocks and features colorful lights, garlands and the Southernmost Christmas Tree. There is also creative nautical holiday displays that can only be
found in a place like the Key West waterfront. Enjoy the holiday lights while you shop in the fabulous shops along the harbor. And when you need a break, stop in the Schooner Wharf for a cold one, and then continue your shopping. Its a fabulous way to ring in the holiday spirit and you are bound to find some unique and eclectic Key West gifts for that special someone. If you are visiting us in November make sure to catch the 'lighting of the harbor walk' on Wednesday Nov 23, right after dusk.

It Takes Two: Opening Night Waterfront Playhous

Another sure sign that our winter season is upon us, is the start up of the theatre season! This year Waterfont Playhouse will kick off their award-winning 72^nd Season with “It Takes Two – An Evening of Duets”- a two night concert that will star over 25 of Key West’s best performers. The evening will feature hits from the world of Broadway, pop, standards and even disco, all done as duets. It’s an evening chock full of talent, entertainment and double the fun! There is nothing like theater in Key West. The small playhouse is in an old waterfront ice house and some claim it is haunted, with a gentle and theater loving ghost of course! For tickets go to http://waterfrontplayhouse.org.

31st Annual Key West World Championship Power Boat Races

The week long super power boat races continue in Key West. The next Race Day is Friday, Nov 11 at 10am. The start line is in front of Ft. Zachery Taylor. What a great place to gather and watch the super boats zip by at incredible speeds. And because you are at the park you can bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the beach too; the weather is true perfection. The final race day is on Sunday Nov 13 at 10am. For a schedule of events and the best places to see these amazing machines go to http://superboat.com/31st-annual-key-west-world-championship-schedule/. It is always a sign that winter is in the air, when we hear the huge engines scream as they zip around the island, soon we will be decorating for Christmas! See you there!

Thanks Jimmy!

What a great treat! Jimmy Buffet made a grand appearance in Key West and thrilled all the Parrot Heads and local fans alike. A block of Fleming and Duval was closed and the Jimmy Buffet rocked the crowded street. The parrot heads are now leaving and Key West is reading itself for our Super International 31st Annual World Championships Power Boat Races! All this week the super fast boats will be zipping around the island preparing for the Races. The first of three races is on Wednesday Nov 9th. Ask our concierge for more information or if you would like to be out on the water watching the speeding water jets, its truly amazing!

Florida Travel & Life Magazine writes about The Mermaid.

It may seem odd to be on a tropical island for the holidays, away from the snow and ice, casually strolling around shops in shorts and a T-shirt looking for that perfect gift. Well, the Nov/Dec 2011 issue of Florida Travel & Life has an informative article detailing the unmistakable and dynamic holiday spirit that thrives in the Keys.(See Tropical Cheer, pg 52, http://www.floridatravellife.com) We are proud to say that The Mermaid & The Alligator B&B is individually noted in the article, as an Inn that celebrates the holidays wholeheartedly, decorating with charm and exuberance. The author notes that ' A life size stuffed Santa wearing a Hawaiian shirt relaxes in a hammock between two palms' and the co-owner Dean Carlson states that 'Santa disappears on Christmas Eve and is back the next day holding a cocktail'. The author also writes that she was so charmed by the Inn on her first visit that she booked a future stay.
It is exciting to be featured in a holiday article because it is true; we truly love the holidays in the Keys. The Mermaid & The Alligator starts decorating after Thanksgiving and the whole month of December is filled with holiday festivities. Join in on the holiday spirit and the tropical cheer of the islands and plan your December getaway. And, thanks to Florida Travel & Life for praising The Mermaid & The Alligator in your holiday issue.

Parrot Heads in Paradise

The November winds are starting up, bringing cool air and lots of parrots! 'Parrot Heads' from all over the US and Cananda make their way down to our little tropical isle to join in on the 20th annual 'Meeting of the Minds' Parrot Head Convention. The convention is ostensibly to enjoy and celebrate Jimmy Buffet, his creativity and island music. But truly the power is in the essence of his words and the stories and life styles he sings about. His stories tell the true magic of Key West, the reason people love to visit and the reason people never leave. He tells of the people that escape from the reality of the 'real world' and find their place here, people that could fit in no where else. He tells of modern day pirates and people who have suddenly discovered that living in the moment is what life is all about. Songs of cold margaritas in open air bars, songs of broken hearts and lost youth. Jimmy Buffet may come to visit the island that inspired him to write his best songs, every year there is rumor that he will show up. Either way the Parrot Heads will come and celebrate life, living in the moment and the island of Key West. Of course icy Margaritas are in the picture too. Although most of the events are closed off to the non-parrot heads among us, you cant help but enjoy seeing the droves of seemingly 'normal' beings with big parrot headdresses on. Also, great music will be featured at numerous popular bars. 'If they weren't all crazy they would go insane'