Photo Credit: Larry Blackburn Photography

Key West, FL—World AIDS Day will be observed on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at 9:00 AM at the Key West AIDS Memorial. The Friends of the Key West AIDS Memorial will host this annual event to honor the lives of those lost to HIV/AIDS.

The memorial, which now holds over 1,300 names, was designed by architect Michael Ingram and dedicated in 1997. Located at the foot of the Edward B. Knight Pier at White Street and Atlantic Boulevard, it is part of a Key West city park and is maintained by the Friends of the AIDS Memorial, a non-profit organization led by local volunteers.

The ceremony will begin with the reading of all names engraved on the memorial. This year’s featured speaker is Dr. Raymond Rodriguez of Mt. Sinai Medical Center. Additionally, Key West’s Poet Laureate, Flower Conroy, has written an original poem for the occasion, which will be read by Andrea Wright.

Following the ceremony, the Tree of Hope will be presented at the Key West Artisan Market from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Friends of the AIDS Memorial booth. Visitors can make donations to support the Friends of the AIDS Memorial and receive a commemorative coin or Christmas ornament. Attendees are also invited to add the names of friends and family members lost to HIV/AIDS to the Tree of Hope.

For more information, visit www.keywestaidsmemorial.org. Everyone is welcome to attend.

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