A Taste of Key West

April 22, 2010





The Ragbirds

A Taste of Key West

One of the largest annual single evening events in Key West each year is the annual Taste of Key West. This year marks the 15th year that the event has been held. It has moved from various locations over the year to its current home along the Truman waterfront and has grown significantly during the past 15 years. Now the event is the largest single fundraising event for AIDS Help and attracts more than 50 Keys restaurants and a large selection of wine and beer distributors who all offer selections to the massive crowd that converges on the event each year.



Daisy & Cookie

Kathy, her father Jim & I all biked down to the Truman waterfront just as the gates were opening to try and get some food before the lines became too terribly long. It worked like a charm as we were able to eat before the crowd swelled into unmanageable levels. Certainly the event is one of the most popular in the Keys, drawing thousands of locals from a cross section of people in town.







Like the Cayo Carnivals of old, you never know who you will run into at A Taste of Key West. People who rarely venture out seem to make this an annual exception, most likely because you can sample tasty selections from many of the Keys finest restaurants at relatively cheap prices.

Sandy & Frank



Sherry & Steve

Long lines quickly form at the most popular restaurant booths, but we managed to weave our way to many tasty selections of both food and beer. In addition to the food and libations, the event is one of the best social gatherings of the year. Every time you turn around you see somebody you know and we couldn’t walk ten feet without having to stop and chat with friends.



The weather could not have been more perfect, sunny and warm, with low humidity and a light breeze, unlike the scorching heat that some past events have experienced. The sunset made for a great back drop to the evening. Something about this location just works so well, the sunset, the water, watching all the ships in the harbor – all with great food and friends makes this a special event. The fact that it raises a ton of money for a great charity is an added bonus.







Afterwards, we headed over to the Pier at the Ocean Key House to watch one of my favorite visiting bands play the first of four nights there. The Ragbirds are an eclectic Folk rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan that thankfully makes Key West a stop on most of their tours. Led by the wonderful Erin Zindle on fiddle, the band plays a wonderfully diverse mix of music that is influenced by such a wide range of styles that they are difficult to categorize.

The Ragbirds Live

I didn’t find a video of them playing here, but found a youtube selection from some other show that will give you an idea, or you could give them a listen on the link below. They are worth a listen.

The Ragbirds