Muted by curfew, Key West revelers party on until 10 p.m.
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) — A local curfew muted the New Year’s celebration in Key West, forcing the festivities to end well before midnight.
The New Year’s Eve Shoe Drop took place a little early in the back courtyard at Bourbon St. Pub. At 9 p.m. sharp, partygoers watched the 23rd annual “drop” of a female impersonator in a large replica of a woman’s red high heel shoe as organizers decreed it was midnight somewhere in the world.
“Sushi,” portrayed by Key West resident Gary Marion, was in the shoe, wearing a lavish gown designed and sewn by the drag queen.
The complex sold tickets to the private event to limit revelers, who were seated to maintain social distancing, the organizers said.
New Year’s Eve typically features multiple “drops” across Key West, including the drop of a conch shell and a pirate wench. But this year’s celebrations were canceled to avoid drawing large crowds to downtown streets and waterfront areas.
Key West city officials put a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew in place for New Year’s Eve, and Jan. 1 and 2 to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.
On Tuesday, Federal Judge Lawrence King ruled the emergency curfew ordered by Key West Mayor Teri Johnston does not violate protections under the U.S. Constitution.
He denied a lawsuit filed on behalf of Key West resident Andrew Day, who said the city’s emergency directive was a violation of his First Amendment rights.
The curfew only applies to Key West.
No Comment