A HUMOROUS REBELLION, AND… A ‘TONGUE IN CHEEK’ SECESSION & WAR ARE  THE LEGENDS OF THE FOUNDING OF THE CONCH REPUBLIC…AND WHY KEY WEST IS CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF

A HUMOROUS REBELLION, AND… A ‘TONGUE IN CHEEK’ SECESSION & WAR ARE  THE LEGENDS OF THE FOUNDING OF THE CONCH REPUBLIC…AND WHY KEY WEST IS CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF

FUN-DEPENDENCE, APRIL 15-24, 2022!

Key West, Florida Keys & Conch Republic…What would you do if a US Government agency set up a roadblock and checkpoint on the only road in and out of your town? If you were a “Conch,” as Florida Keys locals like to call themselves, you would take things into your own hands: secede from the Union, declare yourselves a Sovereign Nation, raise the Conch Republic Flag, wage war against the US Navy with Cuban bread, then surrender and apply for foreign aid, all before the ice melts in your glass.

These are the true, historical, and successful events which happened 40 years ago, and gave rise to the legend of this tiny island nation. Forever known as the Conch Republic (CR,) its unique townspeople have always done things just a bit differently.

CRIC 2022 – 10 DAYS OF ECCENTRIC & ZANY FREE OUTDOOR EVENTS  

Today the legend of the Conch Republic keeps growing… as ‘A Sovereign State… of Mind,’ and each April Key West residents and visitors from around the world, pay tribute to this colorful and quirky spirit of the island, during the grand ten-day spectacle called the Conch Republic Independence Celebration (CRIC.)

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the Founding of the Conch Republic, and Independence Celebration organizers invite you to join them for 40+ unique, colorful, and ‘somewhat’ historical events, packed into 10 days of FUN-Dependence. This “Only in Key West,” whimsical, grassroots celebration offers FUN events for the whole family to enjoy, including many free outdoor events.

Cheer on, or compete in silly & hilarious competitions, including the CR Drag Races on Duval, (April 16) and CR Bed Races (April 23.)

Vie for ‘Best Easter Bonnet & Outfit’ and try your hand at the Carrot Toss at The Gardens Hotel’s first annual Easter “EGGstravaganza,” join the 2nd Annual CR Easter Stroll on Duval to La Te Da (meet at Gardens Hotel or Curry Mansion) and end the day listening to great Jazz at The Garden’s Hotel (all on April 17.)  View (or join) the ‘World’s Looooongest’ Parade on Duval (April 21,) enter your vessel in the CR Independence Boat Parade, CRN Naval Parade, preceding The Great Battle of the Conch Republic (all on April 22) in Key West Harbor.

Don’t miss the 2^nd Annual “Ho Ho Ho…and a Bottle of Rum! RUM Battle, the Rum Bar (April 17,) and Party with ‘Wenches and Buccaneers’ at Schooner Wharf Bar’s “After Parade Party & Awards Ceremony” (April 21) and Pirate Ball (April 23.) Sip your way through Old Town on the Conch Crawl & Distiller Stroll (April 16) and enjoy the musical comedy, ‘Conch Republic – The Musical,” at the Fringe at the Armory (April 21-24.)

Join the CR Military for the 5^th “Annual Breakfast of Champions” at Two Friends (April 15,) enjoy a traditional Old Fashioned “Shrimp Boil” at the Hogfish Restaurant and I love Key West Art Exhibit at the Key West Absinthe House (April 16.) Enjoy Easter Brunch with a view, at Yellowfin Bar & Restaurant at Oceans Edge (April 17 & 24,) and celebrate Earth Week, and join the Key West Ploggers for their “Conchy Beach Cleanup” at Higgs Beach (April 16,) and help keep the Conch Republic beautiful! 

‘SOMEWHAT’ HISTORICAL REENACTMENTS 

Experience the ‘somewhat’ historical reenactments, including the “Raising of the Conch Republic Colors & Opening Ceremony” (April 15,) and the April 23 INDEPENDENCE DAY Ceremony (both at Mallory Square), which brings Island Dignitaries, Conch Republic Military members, Conch-Stituants, and visitors together to pay homage to the Founders of the Conch Republic, to salute the CR Flag, recite the CR Pledge Allegiance, and sing the CR Battle Hymn.

Not to be missed, is the Great Sea Battle of the CR, or as First Sea Lord, ADM Finbar says, “War done right.” Taking place on April 22, in, alongside and over Key West Harbor, this “All in FUN” spectacular battle at sea, pits a United States Coast Guard Ship against the mighty forces of CR Military Forces, and like the first Sea Battle of the CR in 1982, fought with water cannons, Cuban bread, Conch fritters, and most importantly, Humor. 

“PARTY WITH A PURPOSE” & SUPPORT FLORIDA KEYS CHARITIES

For those who like to “Party with a Purpose,” CRIC 2022 provides plenty of events in historic venues, serving as ‘FUNdraisers,’ with proceeds helping Florida Keys Charities. The “CR Royal Family Elections & Investiture Party, at the Southernmost House” (April 15,) CR Military Muster at the USCGC Ingham Museum Ship (April 19,) and “CR Wearable Art Fashion Show” at KW Theater (April 16,) raise funds for Wesley House Family Services CR Foster Children’s Fund.

The CR Arts & Crafts Street Fair on Duval funds KWHS Art Student Scholarships, the “Blue Ribbon Bed Races” (April 16,) on Duval supports the Sister Season Fund, the “Where in the World” Wine Tasting benefits TSKW, and “CR Wine & Gallery Stroll” (April 20,) supports the Sister Season Fund.

Hot! Hot! Hot! Havana Night & PeaceVision 2022 PBS documentary Cast Party (April 20) raises funds for TREE Institute Int’l and Flagship WOLF Preservation Society; and the CR K-9 Muster & Recruitment Party” (April 19,) and “Conch Crawl & PUP Stroll (April 23,) support the Florida Keys SPCA. A complete schedule of festivities is available at www.ConchRepublic.com.

THE STORY BEHIND THE SECESSION & FOUNDING OF THE CONCH REPUBLIC 

Banding together in Spring of 1982, Florida Keys community leaders tried unsuccessfully for three weeks to get the United States government to take the roadblock down. The roadblock and checkpoint, set up by the US Border Patrol in their misguided zealotry searching for “Square Grouper,” but to no avail… as word soon got out, smugglers made alternative plans, leaving everyone else with an extra four hours added to their trip up or down The Keys. Exhausting all available resources, the Key West community decided to fight back with the best weapon available, Humor.

After the United States court let the roadblock stand, legend has it, Key West’s Mayor Dennis Wardlow, declared, “If we were going to be treated as a foreign country, we will become one” and promptly announced from the Miami courthouse steps to the world press that, “Tomorrow at noon, the Florida Keys will secede from the Union!” Key West locals were ecstatic and rallied behind their leaders and laughingly aided in helping found the Conch Republic.

After raising the Conch Republic flag at Mallory Square, on April23,1982, they waged war against the unsuspecting US Navy & US Coast Guard — with Cuban bread and Conch fritters — fought the United States Government – and won!

The barricade came down on April 23, and the Conch Republic flag raised over city hall, and then they promptly surrendered and applied for $3 Billion in foreign aid ‑ which they are still patiently waiting for to this day. This “Humorous Rebellion and ‘Tongue in Cheek’ Secession, War & Surrender Ceremony,” happened all before the sun slipped into the ocean that infamous day in 1982.

DECLARE YOUR FUN-DEPENDENCE JOIN US FOR CRIC 2022  

Join us in the Conch Republic, and experience first-hand our ‘Independent Spirit’ which is still active to this day. Just remember when you visit, things just happen a little different in the Conch Republic, so be prepared for whacky shenanigans of all types for the whole family to enjoy.

For more information on CRIC 2022 Festivities, purchase event tickets, ‘Official’ Conch Republic Merchandise and Citizen Passports, or to become a sponsor, visit: www.ConchRepublic.com. CRIC 2022 event tickets and merchandise also available at our CRIC 2022 Welcome Center & Info Centers during the Celebration.

CRIC 2022 is brought to you through the generous support of Monroe County Tourist Development Council – District Advisory Council 1, City of Key West, Conch Republic Military Forces, Key West First Legal Rum Distillery, Key West Trading Company, Schooner Wharf Bar, Key West Finest, Design KW, MM Photo & Design, Pirate Radio Key West WKYS 96.7 FM & 101.7 FM, Barefoot Radio 104.9 FM, Florida Keys Media (WWUS 104.1 FM – US 1 Radio, WAIL 99.5 FM & WEOW 92.7 FM,) Two Friends Patio Restaurant, The Southernmost House, The Gardens Hotel, Smokin’ Tuna Saloon, The Absinthe House, and many other members of the Florida Keys business community.

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