We have been seeing unseasonable cold weather the last couple of days, with nighttime temperatures falling below 60°F two nights in a row, but starting today it should start to warm up again. It is currently 61°F at Parrot Key, but is expected to hit 70°F by midday. Tonight should be around 63°F and by tomorrow things should be back around 75°F. Anyone prepared for cold and windy ocean conditions can be expected to have great fishing tomorrow through the weekend, as fish get more energetic with the warming weather. Sunset tonight is at 6:20 pm, expect festivities at Mallory Square to start around 5:00.
One of the most distinctive Florida Keys fisheries is flats fishing for Barracuda, a fish renowned for its fearsome appearance and exciting strikes, but also one of the finest battles on fly gear. Coming up this weekend is annual Cuda Bowl, a flats tournament devoted to fly fishing for barracuda. This highly competitive tournament allows only 20 boats and lets captains double as fishermen, adding an extra element of competition. For more information and reservations click here, call 305-294-3618 or Email: info@keywestflatsfishing.com.
Next weekend two blocks of Whitehead and Caroline streets will be closed to traffic and filled instead with craft booths and shoppers. Over 25,000 visitors come down to the 4 square block area in Key West for this 27 year old festival; featuring pottery, glass, wood, fabric, and all sorts of other hand made crafts. This is a great way to spend a Key West afternoon in one of the most interesting parts of the city. For more information click Here.
It’s 77°F and hazy right now at Parrot Key Hotel and Resort, but patches of blue sky can be seen on the horizon. We predicted to get scattered showers of warm rain for the next couple of days, before it clears up to the more usual blue winter sky. There is a very light wind from the north right now and small chop out in the open ocean, but close to Key West the water is calm. Sunset tonight will be at 5:57 pm, and with the low pressure system coming in should provide amazing colors.
One of the most appreciated local institutions in Key West is the Tropic Cinema, a small independent movie theatre just half a block off of Duval street, which brings independant, queer and foreign film to key west, as well as opera, concerts and special events throughout the year. The Tropic was founded as the Key West Film Society in 1999 and used rented screens and venues until purchasing the building that now houses the tropic in 2004, which it expanded to 3 screens in 2007. The Tropic is one of the rare cinemas in america that sells wine and beer, by the glass or bottle, as well as key lime pie, local candy and many flavors of popcorn. The film lineup, ambiance, staff and snacks all contributes to the Tropic being voted the best cinema in Florida, and one of the best in America. Even if going to the movies is not in your Key West plans, this little theatre is worth at least a peak inside. For more information and film schedules, click here.
This month will once again mark the return of the Key west food and wine festival, one of the best local events for foodies and wine enthusiasts. Starting the 26th of January and running until the 29th, the festival will feature wine tastings, wine pairings, an open air wine market, lots of events in local restaurants and several neighborhood strolls featuring tasting stops. For anyone looking to taste great wines and food in our tropical paradise, this is the event for you! For more info and VIP pass information click here.
Once again, boxing is returning to historic Mallory Square here in Key West! On Friday the 16th of January ESPN2 will broadcast the scheduled main event on their “Friday Night Fights” , a bout between Carlos “El Indio” Quintana and Eromosele “Bad Boy” Albert. Quintana, a former WBO world welterweight champion, has a record of 26 wins and two losses. His competitor Albert boasts a record of 21 wins, two losses and one draw. The other scheduled marquee event pits James “Buddy” McGirt Jr., whose career includes 19 wins, one loss and one draw, against Angel “Toro” Hernandez. Hernandez has racked up 28 wins and seven losses in his career.
Boxing has been part of Key West history for hundreds of years, particularly in the 1930′s when author Ernest Hemingway made his home on whitehead street and would officiate matches in Bahama village, including the backyard of what is now Blue Heaven restaurant.
For more information or tickets either call 1-800-LAST-KEY or click here.
Key West is a renowned location to celebrate the new year, with three different “ball drops” happening in different locations around the city. Weither a Pirate wench, sushi the female impersonator diva in a giant shoe, or the Duval street conch shell drop is your flavor, Key West has a celebration for you. CNN will be checking in at the Bourbon street pub throughout the night, while local and regional media will be covering the Harbor and Duval street ball drops. Every bar will be hosting some kind of party, as well as exclusive sunset cruises, pier parties and celebrations at historic landmarks.
The Florida Keys may be best known for its aquatic biodiversity, but there is also a wide variety of land species that are quite fascinating. The Key Deer, Burrowing Owl, Vaca Key Racoon, Stock Island Tree Snail, and numerous birds and insects are all specially suited to life in the Florida Keys. If you are interesting in exploring our local biodiversity there are several great locations: the Crane Point Museum in marathon, the Botanical Gardens on stock island, the Butterfly Conservatory in Key West and the Florida Keys Eco Discovery Centre are a couple that we recommend.
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