In this post we would like to highlight some of the great summer events going on in Key West in July. We have also included a summer menu special from our July ‘fave’ restaurant, Nine One Five, on Duval Street.

Fireworks in Key West

We like to start our holiday weekend off July 2nd with the First Thursday Art Walk. The Caroline Street Art & Design District is a neighborhood of galleries, shops and design studios in the historic Key West Bight community. They are presenting an evening of open houses from 6-9 p.m. with art, coffee shops and restaurants. This walk is held the first Thursday of each month and the admission is free. For more information contact (305) 296-9100.

Our Key West 4th of July celebration is always magical and there are two events that we like to do most. The first is the performance of the 13th Army Band, Florida Army National Guard.  These citizen-soldiers of the 13th Army Band play patriotic and concert band music  for the Fourth of July celebration. Concert begins at 4 p.m. at White Street Pier and goes through the night. All band events are free and open to the public.  For more information just call SSG Ralph Morales at 954-893-5070.

The other July 4th event we attend is the picnic hosted by the Visiting Nurses Association.  This 25th anniversary celebration is a fundraiser that is both delicious and beautiful. You can donate $100.00 per person and see the fireworks in their ‘Best Seats on the Beach’  while munching on a special buffet; donate $25.00 for adults and $10.00 for kids to  get a picnic buffet or donate $10.00 for general admission which includes free watermelon, soda and popcorn. Either choice it’s a fun way to spend a summer evening.

Each year from July 16th -to July 20th, Mel Fisher’s family and friends celebrate the legendary treasure hunter’s  accomplishments, unquenchable optimism and exuberant zest for life with a festival events. You can contact them at (305) 296-6534 or email them at skwiley@melfisher.com

Look-alike 'Hemingways'

The always zany and somewhat serious Hemingway Days are held this year from July 21st  – 26th .  Scheduled events include a look-alike contest for stocky white-bearded men resembling Hemingway, readings and book signings by nationally acclaimed authors, an awards ceremony for the renowned literary competition directed by author and Hemingway granddaughter Lorian Hemingway, a commemoration of the 110th anniversary of Ernest’s July 21 birth, a one-man play about Hemingway’s life and motivations, an exhibition of rare Hemingway memorabilia, a maniacal  “Running of the Bulls” and a three-day marlin tournament ( July 22nd – 25th) celebrating Hemingway’s devotion to the sport. Other information can be found at (305) 296-2388 (Look-Alike); 294-0320 (literary).

Our July restaurant ‘fave’ Nine One Five

Summer specials at Nine One Five, a bistro with an upstairs wine lounge on Duval Street, is always a real treat. This year’s theme is called:   Party Like It’s 1929! 3 Courses – $29-includes 1 free glass of champagne.  Some of the ‘Starters’ include: Devils on Horseback, Chipotle Conch Chowder or Flash Fried Calamari with fresh aioli. The ‘Mains’ include Sizzling Thai Yellowtail Snapper, Steak Bruscetta on Toasted Ciabatta or Free Range Chicken with a mustard seed Potato Salad. They always have a dessert of the day so make sure you ask about that. Yummy! Contact them for further info and reservations at (305) 296-0669.

You can find this ‘specials’ menu here. Just cut-and-paste this address into a new address bar field:  http://mail.google.com/mail/?attid=0.1.0.1&disp=attd&view=att&th=12231f8819871aaa

Looking ahead to August, we always await Lobsterfest August 7th – 9th. Festivities include Friday’s Lobsterfest Duval Crawl, a Street Fair featuring art, crafts, merchandise and of course, lots of lobster, and a free concert at the corner of Duval and Green Streets  on Saturday.  You can find more information by contacting (305) 294-2000.

Our beaches await you!

So come join us this summer at any of our Historic Key West Inns hotels. As we like to say:   Arrive.    Relax.   Be local.