In a couple of weeks, one of the most well-known
icons of the 20th Century will be celebrated en masse, Earnest Hemingway. Acclaimed author,
winner of the Nobel Prize for writing, and self-admitted adventurer, Hemingway
lived in Key West during the 1930’s. During his time in Key West he wrote some
of his greatest classics, such as “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “The Snows of
Kilimanjaro”. He fully embraced the laid back life style of Key West, enjoying
time with friends and deep sea fishing.
His love of the island along with his writing achievements are
celebrated each year during the annual HemingwayDays
set for July 15-20.
Running for 34 years now, there are several ways to
join in some fun and camaraderie while celebrating Earnest Hemming and Key
West. Each year there is a “Papa Hemingway”
look-alike contest, for those sporting a trim white beard and safari shorts;
you could be a shoe in. The contest is held at Sloppy Joe’s Bar on the 17th,
where Hemingway used to frequently hang out. Contestants show off their best “Papa-ness”
to previous winners who then select several finalists to choose a winner on the
19th.
To recognize Hemingway’s
literary contributions there are poetry and prose readings, including “The
Poems of Papa” presented by the Key West Poetry Guild. The height of the
literary aspect of the festival is the short
story competition headed by Hemingway’s granddaughter and fellow author,
Lorian Hemingway. Now going for 25
years, it has become one of the most renowned short story contests in the
country, and is recognized worldwide.
On the livelier side there is the one and only Key
West “Running of the Bulls”, a wacky
run with “Papas” riding their creatively made bulls. More fun is to be had with
a Paddle Board Race and Sloppy Joe’s annual Arm Wrestling contest as well.
Hemingway’s passion for deep-sea fishing is also celebrated during the festival
with the Key
West Marlin Tournament
which runs from July 16-19th, and offers cash prizes for the top
catches of Marlin and other game fish.
Rounding off the festival is the Hemingway Days Street Fair, taking
place Saturday July 19th along Duval Street. The area will become an open air market with
arts and crafts, food and drink, and new this year, the Bubba Cuzzy Shrimp-Off Competition. There are also cocktail
parties, Birthday celebrations for Earnest, whose birthday is July 21st,
rum tastings and more. If you want to have some fun with the upcoming Hemingway
Days, be sure to check out the Calendar of Events
for all the details and make it a summer treat.
Hemingway Days are on their way to Key West. If you’re on your way to sell or buy a home
in the Key West area, please contact me, Jimmy
Lane, for all of your real
estate needs.
Labels: Hemingway Days, jimmy lane, key west
