Ringing in the New Year

The Mermaid & The Alligator wishes a happy and healthy holiday season to all. Key West is bustling with visitors from all over the world, enjoying the warm tropical breezes and readying for the New Year. The last week of 2011 is filled with all sorts of fun island style activities. Here is a list of some of the events that you must fit into your schedule and end 2011 having a blast! December 27 & 28 is the 52nd Annual Key West Home and Garden Tour. For tickets and information go to http://www.oirf.org/page.php?p=tours. Bayview Park is hosting the Arts Festival December 27-31, open 10-5pm daily. Great art, jewelry, photos and more. And on December 31st join in on the 7th annual Key West Dachshund Parade, starts at noon on Fleming St at Duval. Family friendly and full of fun! Of course New Years Eve will be filled with revelry and cheer. You can join on on fabulous New Years dinners (see concierge for more information), and then join in on the fun on Duval and watch the dropping of the Conch Shell, or the dropping of the Red Slipper or the dropping of the Wench (at the Historic Seaport), all set to count down the last minutes of 2011. Happy New Year!!

Thank you Chamber for voting us the winner of the 'Island of Lights' competition!

The Mermaid & The Alligator is the proud first place winner of the Chamber of Commerce 'Island of Lights' holiday competition for the second year running. It goes to show that Dean and Paul's hard work, along with their exuberant holiday spirit paid off. However, it was not an easy win, our little island city is ablaze with fabulous holiday decorations and the creativity and ingenuity of its' citizens really shines. From a little conch cottage with a sleigh on the roof, to a grand condo with candy canes striped in lights, palm trees lit up in glory, and a lighted tricycle sitting on the roof of the local bike shop, the award truly goes to everyone who participates to make our island so spectacular over the holidays. Thanks to the Chamber for your recognition and we wish everyone a joyous and happy holiday season!

Lighted Boat Parade

This Its that time of year again! It is time for the annual Schooner Wharf Lighted Boat Parade and it takes place this SATURDAY, December 11th at 8pm, in the Key west Bight and Harbor. Lighted and decorated vessels (from rowboats to tall ships) parade around Key West’s Historic Seaport and harbor showing off their creative and imaginative holiday decorations. Holiday revelers can watch and applaud this magical display of holiday spirit from bars, restaurants and resorts in and around the Historic Seaport while listening to the favorite sounds of the holiday season Key West style.

Past years have seen gingerbread men, the Grinch, doves of peace, dancing candy canes, toy soldiers, and of course Santa’s sleigh. Full choirs and steel bands grace the decks throwing candy and beads to the delight of spectators. It’s an unforgettable magical night — a definite highlight of the Key West holiday season!

For more information, please visit Schooner Wharf Bar online or contact 305-292-3302. See you there!