July 4th, Island Style

Key Westers are known to love a good party and our island style July 4th celebration is no different.  Every July 4th the Casa Marina Hotel hosts the Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice fundraiser on the beach and lawn.  It is the picnic of the year, the best view of the Fireworks and the locals love to gather, eat, drink and help raise money for a great cause.  Visitors to our island love to join in on the picnic and enjoy the island community.  The event takes place from 5-9pm, admission with food is $25 for adults, $10 for kids(5 and up), or general admission sans food is $10.  All proceeds go to the VNA of the Florida Keys.  Join in on a Silent Auction, Live entertainment and a great Kids Activity Area.  The fireworks will set off from White Street Pier over the ocean and is a fabulous sight to see.  Come and help us celebrate Independence Day and join in on the fun.  For more information go to http://www.vnahospicekeys.org/news-events/fourth-of-july/.

Midsummer's Night Dream and Spectacle

Join in on the most magical night of the year.  This years Midsummer's Night Dream and Spectacle takes place at the Key West Botanical Gardens and Tropical Forest on Stock Island this Saturday June 23, 5-11pm- $10 admission (kids under 12 are free).  Midsummer’s Night Dream and Spectacle is a celebration like no other, it is a festival under the stars where creative and fun people join together to celebrate the glory of our Key West summers, the beauty of nature and the creative soul within us all. Everyone attending is a participant in this playful and spontaneous celebration – a wonderland of costumed revelers, interactive art projects, and multiple stages featuring artists of local, national, and international renown. This year’s event includes more than 50 participating artists, including musicians, singers, dancers, sculptors, plein air painters, actors, poets, storytellers, aerial artistry, fire hooping and dance performances, and more. Attire ranges from Key West cool to Midsummer’s Magical, with a King and Queen of Midsummer’s Night chosen from among the best costumed. Festival food includes offerings by Crêpes–to-go; Centennial Bank dogs & burgers; Italian ices and more, as well as full bars  Put on your fairy wings, your jesters hat or whatever you may fancy and come dance under the stars.  For information contact Michael Shields at 305-394-3804 / javastudios@gmail.com /  keywestupdates.com.

Fort Jefferson; A Unique Excursion

The best thing about summer time in the Keys, other than an icy cold Margarita, are the waters; invitingly warm and calm.  There is no better time to take the Ft. Jefferson Ferry out to the Dry Tortugas National Park. With smooth waters all the way the 60 mile ferry trip is a pleasant hour on the water and a great way to take in the magnificent view of Gulf Stream waters.  The coastal military fort started construction in 1825 to guard over the gulf stream trading routes.  It has a vast history serving as a military base, a union stronghold during the Civil War and a prison.  It is an adventure to wander through the old fort, imagining the days when soldiers had to live on the desolate island with only rain collection systems for water and cans of ham to sustain them.  The Fort is now a registered park and they offer daily tours to guide you throughout.  Once you have taken in the history of the fort the little island has a beautiful beach and offers the best snorkeling in the Keys.  The waters are pristine and one can swim around the edge of the entire fort's moat system, in only 3 feet of water, viewing numerous corals and sea plants growing along the old wall.  This area is teeming with reef fishes and is truly stunning.  The Fort Jefferson Ferry is a full day trip.  They offer breakfast on the ride out and a picnic lunch at the fort.  They do supply snorkeling equipment for those interested.  If you want a faster way out to the fort, there is a Sea Plane, that offers beverages and snorkel equipment, and is a half day excursion.  There is nothing like an air vantage point to appreciate the beauty of the Florida Keys.  The Fort Jefferson trip is extremely popular so it is best to plan ahead.  Talk to your concierges Geri or Rebecca and they can fill you in on more details and arrange a trip for you.  For information on the fort visit: http://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm






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