Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from our family to yours.  As Key West rings in the New Year with lots of cheer and balmy breezes we look forward to a great 2014.  We feel very fortunate at the Mermaid & The Alligator to have interesting, unique, adventurous and dynamic guests every year.  We host visitors from all over and each one brings insight, experiences and knowledge from their part of the world. We learn a a lot, hear fabulous stories and make good friends.  Excited to greet returning guests and host new ones we are eager to meet new people and to show off our fair island city.  Our island is always growing, offering more shows, more art, more activities and always introducing new artists, scholars, workshops and experiences.  The Theaters have a spectacular season in store for us, the Literary community has shows, book signings and the like.  The island will feature multiple new boutiques, artist co-ops and eateries that even our regular guests will be anxious to try. We wish you a happy and healthy New Year and look forward to visiting with you in the upcoming year.  If you already know when you plan to visit us, call early to ensure your favorite room.  If you have not decided when to visit give us a call and we can inform you of events, weather and island news that can help guide you. Cheers from the Mermaid & Alligator!

The 5th Annual Lighted Bike Parade

If there is an excuse to decorate bikes and ride through the town ringing bells, we will do it.  Join in on the "The Third Annual Key West Holiday Lighted Bike Parade".  It is a great night to experience our little island and the small town character we love.  The Parade will leave from Bayview Park on Truman Ave at 6:30pm Wednesday December 18.  It is a grand affair with family and friends gathering to ride through the town waving and cheering to friends, coworkers and people they may know....or not.  Decorate your bikes, yourselves if you wish and come out and have holiday fun island style.  The event at Bayview Park starts as early as 5pm, departing at 6:30.  The event works to benefit the charities of the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition, so bring an unwrapped toy to go to a happy child who will love it.  Our one and only KW Police Department will escort the parade that will travel through sections of NewTown, Old Town and of course, Duval Street! The parade will conclude at approximately 8:00 pm at The Conch Republic Seafood Company, located in Key West Bight. Decorate, decorate, decorate." See you there!

The Lighted Boat Parade

If there is one thing we know how to do in Key West, it is..celebrate!  With the Holiday Season in full swing there is a never ending list of events that keep us in the holiday spirit.  One such festivity is the Lighted Boat Parade, an eclectic motley crew of boats all decked out in holiday cheer.  From kayaks, to lobster boats to classic schooners, any boat is game.  The parade takes place this Saturday December 15th at the Key West Historic Seaport.  The judges chairs' will be in their traditional location, the Schooner Wharf Bar.  The Gerald Adams Elementary school 'Steel Your Heart Band' kicks off the festivities at 6:00 p.m. with a set of holiday tunes, followed by The Doerfels, an incredibly talented family including young kids to young adults, who sing more Christmas favorites.  The Boat Parade starts at 8pm and will cruise along the Historic Seaport, Mallory Square the Westin Docks and swing back around past the critical eye of the judges in Conch Harbor.  Join in on all the fun, it is truly a classic Key West holiday tradition and one not to be missed!