Basking in the limelight: Key West’s Key Lime Festival celebrates world’s most sensational citrus July 3 – July 7
Key West’s Key Lime Festival invites lovers of the lime to celebrate the world’s most sensational citrus with full menu of happenings, from sublime culinary events to outrageous competitions, all occurring July 3 – July 7 at multiple venues across the very island where Key Lime pie was conceived.
Festivities launch on the 3rd with an array of sweet, tart and tantalizing activities around town, including a “Living the Key Lime Life” four course dinner prepared by Chef Scott Taylor at Kaya Island Eats, and the fest’s official “kick off” event, a cookbook signing party held in the new George’s Bar & Spritz at the historic Curry Mansion Inn—the actual locale where the first Key Lime pie was created. Guests can enjoy vintage rock and roll with a live band and refreshments while getting books signed by David Sloan, author of the famous “Key West Key Lime Pie Cookbook.”
Fourth of July events start bright and early with the annual “Rotary Club of Key West 4th of July 5K,” and continue into the night with the Rotary’s spectacular “Patriotic Dinner Under the Fireworks.” In the hours between the two, revelers can dive into a 4th of July pool party at Dante’s Key West Pool Bar & Restaurant and head over to the Southernmost Beach Café for the World Famous Key Lime Pie Eating Championship, an outrageously frothy tropical alternative to New York’s annual Independence Day hot dog eating contest. Competitors can advance register on the festivals website for a chance to score a trophy, championship belt, and a heaping helping of fame and glory.
Experiences featuring limey libations, for those of legal age, are to include daily Key Lime rum tasting events at the Key West First Legal Rum Distillery, and a July 5 Key Lime Sip & Stroll during which participants get to vote on who serves up the best Key lime cocktails and margaritas from among multiple participating bars.
The annual gravity defying Key Lime Pie Drop, taking place on July 6, gives a whole new meaning to “pie in the “sky” by inviting contestants to advance-create a device or container to protect a 5” diameter pie and keep it from exploding on impact when dropped from the approximately 88-foot observation deck of the historic Key West Lighthouse. The winner scores a cash prize along with some very unique bragging rights; competitors can visit the festival website to advance register for free.
The festivals moving feast of Key Lime inspired food-focused events are many and include a variety of themed lunch and dinner events, and for those who like it hot, a “5-Alarm Pie Challenge” at the Alex Vega Key West Firehouse Museum (think cayenne graham cracker crumbs, habanero cream and a jalapeño topper!).
Other zesty happenings include a Key Lime Pie Hop, Sloppy Joe’s “Ultimate Key Lime Smash Party,” a Key Lime tree master-class, morning Key Lime Bike Tours that visit iconic landmarks and conclude with a slice of Key Lime pie, and a new Key Lime Passport game that runs June 28 – July 4.
The Florida Legislature made Key Lime pie the official state pie in 2006. Launched in 2013 and now in its 11th year, the Key Lime Festival was concocted by author, ghost hunter, historian, and cuisinier David Sloan and artist, production designer, and Wonderdog Studios founder Marky Pierson. The 2024 Festival includes numerous family-friendly activities and is presented in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and We’ve Got the Keys. Some events require advance reservations/registration. For a full events calendar along with registration and reservation links, visit http://www.keylimefestival.com
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