Super Heros, Villans and Beyond

A giant black, yellow and red buoy with "90 miles to Cuba" painted on the side, will decorate the first float of this years Fantasy Festival Parade. Scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct 26. The parade goes from Southard Street,down Whitehead, cutting along Front, where it reaches the main masses for a nearly mile-long march down Duval. The buoy is the perfect perch for this year’s grand marshal, endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, who made international headlines Sept. 2 when she became the first person to swim from Cuba to Key West without a shark cage. As the island dons itself in festive revelry, dressing up to the theme of this years "Super Heros, Villains and Beyond", locals love to cheer on their own Super Hero, Diana Nyad. Inspirational and zany enough to earn island respect, locals are thrilled to have her lead the parade.
Join in on the night of island fun, Mardi Gras style.  Parade Day starts with a 12noon Street Fair, followed by the Grand Parade and on into the night with sexy balls, sassy fundraisers and costumed night owls.  Eat, Drink and be Merry....see you there.

Goombay 2013!

Opening up the week of Fantasy Festival is the kick-off festival, Goombay.  This street fair celebrates our Afro-Caribbean essence and is a party like no other.  This upcoming weekend Friday Oct 18th and Saturday Oct 19th from noon until 10pm join in on the Goombay festival and warm up for the week to come. Goombay sets up around Petronia Street in Bahama Village, just off Key West’s legendary Duval Street. The event features African art and crafts, jewelry, local art vendors and delicacies from a variety of cultures and countries. Make sure to try local Caribbean fair like the delicious Conch Ceviche, or Ginger Beer and if you are lucky you may find the Bahamian candy lady who sells candied ginger from her front stoop.  Shop around, talk to people, enjoy the laid back nature of our island and dance the the live music ranging from reggie to rap to gospel. See you on the street!

Ahhhhh....October

October is a special month in the Keys.  It is the month that begins our upcoming season; restaurants, inns and shops open their doors wide after taking a September hiatus.  Locals can see the end of hurricane season and each day they wait to feel the cool northern breeze push down and blow away the thick humid air.  Renewed and refreshed the island anticipates the return of the 'snow birds', the opening of our theater season, the events and festivals that wake up the city from its languid summer state.  Now is the time to call to reserve for the winter season.  Each month offers a delightful array of events and each is special in its own way.  October kicks of the season with the notorious Fantasy Festival, November zooms with Parrot Heads and Boat racers, December is the holidays in the Keys (and it is truly a beautiful time to visit), January brings sail-boaters, February brings Art Festivals, March is Conch Fest and the list goes on.  Call us at the Mermaid & the Alligator and talk to us about, events, dinning, theater, poetry slams, midnight sails and whatever you might think of.  We stand by to answer your questions and help you plan your perfect Key West vacation.