Taste of Key West XVI

April 20, 2011









Taste of Key West XVI

One sure sign of Spring in Key West is the annual arrival of one of the coolest and well attended fundraising events of the year, The Taste of Key West. This year marks the sixteenth annual celebration of Key West cuisine that is the taste. With over 50 local restaurants and 100 vineyards represented, the annual foodie feast draws huge crowds to the Truman waterfront to sample food and wine with all the proceeds benefiting AIDS Help.



Ann & Dan



Over the years the location, size and names of restaurants have all changed, but the stellar quality and popularity of the event has remained the same. Easily one of the most popular events of the year, especially with locals, the event is a place to not only sample tasty treats from just about every major Key West eatery but also a place to see and be seen.





Michael & Jan

You seem to see just about everyone there, including people that you rarely see out and about. It also appeals to a wide cross-section of our diverse Key West community. After all, who doesn’t like to eat?



Cookie & Daisy



A new feature this year was the addition of entertainment as there was live music on either end of the long rows of food booths. I am not sure if the event really needed anything additional, but the live music was well received and large crowds gathered around the areas featuring music.








Large crowds actually gathered just about everywhere, many booths featured long lines for their offerings. As always as the night wore on, many restaurants ran out of food, though this year there were still a few places that served right up to the end, which I am sure pleased both organizers and late arrivals who in past years might have gone hungry.

Fish & Leigh





There were a ton of delightful wines available and a good selection of specialty beers as well. The weather cooperated as well, with bright warm sunshine and another beautiful Key West sunset that served as a perfect backdrop to the festivities.



Howard & Najada



Another fun night in Key West, seeing all sorts of great friends, enjoying some great food and libations and enjoying a beautiful sunset and the rising of the beautiful nearly full moon. Pretty much a perfect night to raise some money for one of the great non-profits in the Keys, in fact it appears that AIDS Help cleared over $100,000 in a single night. Not too shabby. Thanks to all the organizers for such a great event and to all involved. It is so awesome to live in a community that is as fun as it is generous.





Matt, Kathy & Deb

Key West’s Third Annual Bike Parade

April 15, 2011









Key West’s Third Annual Bike Parade

Key West has always been home to a large contingent of bicycle riders. It is not only the best means of conveyance around the island, for many it is their primary form of transportation. In celebration of Bike Appreciation Day, my friends at Wonderdog Productions (Marky) and ReCycle Bike Shop (Evan), organized another cool biking event, the third annual Bike Parade.











Like the previous bike events that they have organized, including the spectacular Zombie Bike Ride that was held during Fantasy Fest, hundreds of local bicycle aficionados gathered at ReCycle Bike Shop on Stock Island at noon on a Sunday. This parade featured the theme of Rock n’ Roll with a costume contest featuring cool prizes for the best rocking costume.

Marky & Evan







A bright, warm sunny day greeted the riders as they gathered for the afternoon long ride which departed ReCycle under the watchful eye of three of Key West’s finest, motorcycle police officers who blocked off traffic as the parade of bicyclists made their way out on to US 1 towards Key West. The parade headed down the beach towards the first stop at Salute restaurant.



Tom & Greta



Christa

After a stop at Salute, the parade headed into downtown Key West, heading down Duval Street before finally heading over to Dante’s ; where the participants could cool off and relax after the ride in the pool at Dante’s.

Nick

Mark, Arlo & Bill





I didn’t make it all the way to the final stop, but I was around long enough to take some good photos of many of the best costumed participants. It was great to see that so many people took the theme to heart and go into the spirit of the event. It was also cool to see literally hundreds of Key Westers enjoying celebrating the bicycle.







Hopefully these photos help capture yet another cool Key West event. Thanks so much to Evan & Marky and everyone who came out to make it happen. I can’t wait until the next bike parade, which I am sure will be even bigger and better.



Zombie Bike Ride Blog