Kenny Chesney

March 18, 2009





Kenny Chesney



For the second consecutive year, country music superstar Kenny Chesney has chosen to play a special gig at Sloppy Joe’s on the Saturday night just prior to St. Patrick’s Day. While supposedly “secret”, the shows were actually about the worst keep secrets ever- even worse than when Kenny recently purchased a home here- but that’s another story.

Linda, Shannon, Stephanie & Lisa





The show may not have been officially announced as part of his tour, but it was no secret, being discussed on the radio and in the local press well in advance. As such it should be no surprise that Saturday morning at 9 AM there were some 250 people lined up in front of Sloppy Joe’s waiting to get in who were not deterred by rain showers that swept through the Keys that morning.



Being the same day as the Spring Fair, I was unable to wait (not that I would have), but did manage to head down in the late afternoon to see what was going on. There was a massive crowd outside, the fire Marshall having long closed the main doors. The crowd was so large that the KW Police shut down traffic on both Duval Street and Greene Street.



DJs Big D & Bubba

Not only was the crowd massive, they were quite drunk. The St. Patrick’s Day Bar Stroll having made its way down Duval during the day combined with the large crowd of college students in town for Spring Break and those who had been waiting all day for the show made for a drunken mix of revelers.

Peyton Manning with Kenny Chesney

When I arrived, Kenny and his band were just about to take the stage and I happened upon the backstage area just in time to watch him emerge from his bus and head inside. He was joined by a number of celebrities who were here to enjoy the show. NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his car owner Rick Hendrick, Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning, New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Peyton, Coral Reefer Band member Mac McAnally (who co-wrote Kenny’s current #1 Country hit “Down the Road”) as well as some other Country singers were all here for the show.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Mac McAnally & Kenny



It was a wild scene and while I was not able to get inside, I did manage to work my way up to the side windows which provided an excellent and relatively “drunk free” zone to watch. He played for over three hours to the wildly appreciative crowd. While I have to admit to not being a big fan, it was pretty enjoyable.




Big D & Bubba- Hanging with Kenny in KW

21st Annual Spring Fair

March 17, 2009

Easter Bunny & George





21st Annual Spring Fair

Jasmine & Bunny

The Key West Preschool Co-op where Kathy works as a teacher for the 3s class held their 21st annual Spring Fair fund raising fair last weekend and it was thankfully, a big success. There was some concern because for the first time the fair itself was held on the property of the Peace Covenant Church where the school is located, rather than Bayview Park- where it had been traditionally held. The new location and the uncertainty about the economy combined were a concern that turned out to be unfounded.

Annie & Abby

Caya, Joanna & Andreas with the Bunny



The weather was great, warm and sunny and a great crowd turned out for the games, rides, food and entertainment. Kathy once again reprised her role as the Easter Bunny and I was called into action to photograph children with the Easter Bunny.

Katie

Tara

Carolyn, Bunny & Jimmy

There were all sorts of activities for kids of all ages. Minor rides included the land train and the bounce house and games ranged from mini-golf to bowling to dart throwing and many more. There was a full line-up of musical entertainment including such favorites as Larry Baeder, The Michael Dixon Band and the Muse Gurus.

The Michael Dixon Band

Larry Baeder



One of the hi-lights for the kids was the interactive exhibit featuring live animals from the Monroe County Sherriff’s Department Animal Farm. They had everything from a small pony, to a pot-bellied pig, a collection of rabbits and ferrets and even a small alligator for the kids to see.







Tami & Jodie

The parents and teachers at the Co-op did a great job this year, led by this year’s Spring Fair Chair, Jasmine Kenna. Of the many fairs that we have been involved with, it seemed like this one was especially well organized, especially considering the new venue. Kathy had a great, though somewhat hot time as the Easter Bunny and it seemed as if everyone was pleased with how the fair turned out.

Izzy & Kaila

Keeping Up With the Joneses



One of the best things about the fair was getting to see our friend Carla Bellenger win one of the two $2,500 cash prizes in the big raffle. It sometimes seems like no-one that we know ever wins the grand prize in things like this and to see one of our good friends win was pretty cool.

Carla purchasing the winning ticket.

Tami, Bunny, Carla & Jasmine



One other note- this week was Spring Break for the Florida colleges and universities and as always, Key West was packed with college students on break. This becomes more of an annoyance to us each year, but this year we were happy to see our friend Dakota who was back here on her break from the University of Florida.

Kathy & Dakota