30th Annual Key West World Championships

Key West based Super Boat International, is holding it' 30th annual offshore powerboat racing event November 6th - 14th. If you can't make it down to Key West, races will be streamed live on Superboat.com. Race times are 10:00 am, 12:30pm and 2:00pm Wednesday 10th, Friday 12th and the final race Sunday 14th.

National and international teams will compete to finish out the season for the national points series and the coveted World Champion title.

Boats start arriving Friday and will stage in Race Village at Truman Annex where fans can see them up close. Sunday at 4:00 pm, teams leave Truman Annex, parade down Duvall Street and return back to the dry pits. Fans can watch scheduled testing off the Outer Mole Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 9am to 5pm. Races will be held Wednesday, Friday, and the final event Sunday (final race). Bleachers for fans will be set up at the Outer Mole in the Truman Annex at the end of Southard Street. Friday night (6th) from 6:00pm to 10:00 pm, boats will park on Duval Street for the Annual Super Boat Street Party.

Super Boat is the premier sanctioning body of offshore powerboat racing. The Super Boat season ran April through November with 8 events making up the National Championship title series and the final (9th) race of the season is the 30th Annual Key West World Championships. National races took place in Miami, FL; Biloxi, MS; Sarasota, FL; Michigan City, IN; Cocoa Beach, FL; New York, NY; Morehead City, NC; and the series championship event was held in Clearwater Beach, FL. These 9 scheduled events for the 2010 racing season enabled Super Boat International to claim the largest and the best schedule of offshore Super Boat racing around the world.

About Super Boat International
Super Boat International (SBI) is the longest running professional offshore racing organization in North America. SBI President and Founder, John Carbonell produces races, kilo speed events and distance attempts all across the United States, South America and the Bahamas. In 2010, Super Boat International recognizes the 30th running of the famed Key West World Championships and their 20th anniversary as Super Boat International Productions.

Key West Fantasy Fest Theme Announced

The theme for Fantasy Fest 2010 is "Habitat for Insanity," and the inhibitions-free festival will include more than 40 masquerade balls, costume contests, street fairs, and other events, including the famous weekend parade complete with floats and marchers wearing outrageous costumes that often leave little or nothing to the imagination.

Key West Fantasy Fest October 22-31 2011. For more information visit www.fantasyfest.net

Annual Key West Poker Run

Up to 10,000 motorcyclists from across the United States are expected to travel one of country's most scenic highways to raise money for charity during the 38th annual Key West Poker Run, Sept. 16-19. The Overseas Highway (US 1) is a 113 mile road that connects Key West to mainland Florida, featuring 42 bridges with wide open water views.

Bikers can register online at www.petersonsharley.com. After registering and making a $10 donation, each participant receives a poker sheet and weekend parking pass. Additional “poker hands” are available for $10 apiece. Drivers of cars and trucks also can participate in the run.

A bar stroll is planned on Upper Duval Street Thursday night, Sept. 16, ending in a beach party at the Southernmost Beach Café, 1405 Duval St.

Starting at 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 17, Poker Run participants are to ride from Miami to Key West, stopping at designated points to draw cards. The final stop is Key West’s Conch Republic Seafood Co., 631 Greene St.

The 10 best poker hands are eligible to play in a winner-take-all round of Texas Hold ‘Em, competing for a new Harley-Davidson 883 Sportster, at Guy Harvey’s Island Grill on Saturday.

The lower part of Duval Street will be closed to car traffic during much of the Poker Run so bikers with weekend parking passes can park on the street to display their bikes.

Big Bike Riders Association representatives will judge the annual custom bike show with proceeds earmarked for charity. Events take place in front of Rick’s/Durty Harry’s, 208 Duval Street with trophies awarded in multiple classes. Registration costs $25 per bike.

Saturday festivities include Sloppy Joe’s annual “Biker Bash”, a pool party at the Southernmost Hotel and the annual Paradise Tattoo Contest and bikini show.

Sunday events include a morning blessing of the bikes, followed by a Bloody Mary brunch and beach party at the Southernmost Beach Café.

For details including a full schedule, visit www.petersonskeywestpokerrun.com.

Overseas Heritage Trail Update

Sections of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail, a multiuse bicycle and pedestrian trail, have been improved as part of an ongoing project. When completed, the trail will provide a scenic corridor extending from Key Largo to Key West that will serve not only as a highway, but as a recreational greenway for hiking, running, bicycling, in-line skating, sightseeing, fishing and kayaking.

View Progress Report

Athletes to Compete in 12.5-Mile Swim Around Key West

The annual Swim Around Key West, the only sanctioned, insured and US Coast Guard permitted race around Key West will take place June 12th. Long-distance swimmers will compete in a 12.5-mile open-water swim around the island of Key West. In addition to traversing the waters of the Atlantic and Gulf, swimmers will pass Key West landmarks including the Southernmost Point marker.

Swimmers must provide their own support crews and boats, but can’t touch the boats except for teams making relay changes. Lifeguards and kayaks will be positioned throughout the course for safety.

The entry fee for swimmers registered by June 9 is $90 per solo swimmer, $150 per two-person relay team, $230 per three-person team, $310 per four-person team, $400 per five-person team and $460 per six-person team. Those registering after June 9 must pay an additional $15 per person.

The Swim Around Key West benefits the Florida Keys Community College swim program, Key West High School swim team and the Keys’ Bone Island Swim Club.

All events take place at Higgs Beach 1000 Atlantic Avenue Key West FL 33040

Friday, June 11, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Pre-Race Party

Saturday, June 12, 2010
Race Check-in 6:00 to 7:00 am
FKCC Swim Around Key West Starts 7:30 am
Post-Race Awards/Party 6:00 to 8:00 pm

For more information visit www.fkccswimaroundkeywest.com

Key West Songwriters Festival

More than 150 leading American songwriters will perform their hit songs and preview new ones during the 15th annual Better Angels Key West Songwriters Festival Wednesday 28th - May 2nd.

The popular festival includes over 36 shows in relaxed audience friendly venues like island bars and clubs and resorts that allow music fans up-close access to music makers.

Performances will include the Raul Malo Band, formed by the founder of the Mavericks, Randy Houser, Texas singer/songwriter Robert Earl Keen, and Kim Carnes - best known for her classic “Bette Davis Eyes.”

Many writers return year after year to perform their tunes for appreciative audiences, preview new melodies and share the stories behind their songs. Among the extraordinary lineup are Jamey Johnson, award-winning performer and co-writer of such chart-toppers as George Strait’s “Give It Away”; Luke Laird, who wrote “So Small” for Carrie Underwood; and longtime festival favorite Chuck Cannon, who penned “I Love the Way You Love Me” for John Michael Montgomery.

Festival’s highlights include a free kickoff performance at 8 pm Wednesday, April 28, with Houser and his band on the sunset pier at Ocean Key Resort, a concert under the stars with Grammy winner Malo, 9 pm Saturday May 1, also on Ocean Key Resort’s sunset pier, and a 2 pm Saturday matinee with James Slater and friends at Key West’s historic San Carlos Institute, 516 Duval St.

Music lovers can enjoy the talents of seven or eight featured songwriters at each of four performances set for Thursday and Friday evenings. Shows begin both nights at 8 pm at the San Carlos Institute and 9 pm. at Key West’s Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton St.

The festival benefits the Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation dedicated to supporting and redefining music education.

"Taste Of Key West" Event To Benefit Charity

The 15th annual "Taste of Key West" will take place 6-9 pm April 19th, and features a feast prepared the the island's top chefs.

The showcase of culinary artistry will features “tastes” from more than 50 local restaurants. To complement the cuisine, fine wines from 100 vineyards and wineries are to be provided by Republic National Distributing Co.

The one-night open-air event benefits the Florida Keys’ AIDS Help Inc., and takes place at the Truman Waterfront, located at the end of Southard Street past Truman Annex.

Admission is free. Attendees purchase food and wine tickets for $1 apiece, and commemorative wine glasses for $6, then “spend” their tickets on beverages and delicacies. Each sample costs between three and eight tickets.

Free parking is to be available at the Truman Waterfront. Free shuttle service between selected Key West locations and the waterfront is to be provided every 30 minutes by Old Town Trolley. Plans call for the last trolley to leave the waterfront at 9 p.m.