In 2014 we wanted to conduct a “best of” contest in Key West to honor the diverse mix of amazing restaurants, businesses and nonprofits in Key West. However, our goal was to create something more than just winners’ plaques and bragging rights. Instead, the idea was to conduct something similar to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., where anything could happen and everything was on the table. It would be a roast, mixed with skits and awards — but moreover, it would be an evening where people could kick back and let loose — without the distraction of politics in the outside world. And on top of everything, do it all to support local nonprofits.
By 2019 the Bubbas had become recognized as one of the premier events in town. The three-hour evening consisted of Bubbas winners, skits, humor, live music and other unexpected debauchery that cannot be repeated here. And while the weeks of voting leading up the awards banquet always added to the anticipation, it was the event itself that capped off all the hard work, the tens of thousands of votes counted and the money raised for local charities.
Today, the Bubbas have raised more than $90,000 for those organizations since the event’s inception in 2014. But sadly, due to COVID, there will be no Awards Show this year. And as many know, we changed our format this year, listing only the previous winners from the past six years on our ballots.
While I know this has understandably disappointed those who were looking to compete in the traditional format, I continue to stand by our decision not to pit every business in town against one another during a time when so many are suffering due to the challenges of a pandemic.
We chose this temporary format for two reasons: Mainly, we wanted to do something that supports Community Wins. And we wanted to simply take a moment to appreciate the past six years of the Bubbas. Not just the winners, but the moments that have defined the memorable evenings and the people who have worked to create a positive event we can all look forward to each and every year.
So as we look to return to our original format and live event in 2021, please remember to vote in this year’s contest. But more importantly, please take a moment to support Community Wins. In the meantime, we want to thank every voter, sponsor, media partner, participant (willing or unwilling on stage) past nominees and winners for the first seven years of this journey — and we look forward to many more.
Here is a look back at the evolution of the Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards
A Tradition Begins: In 2014 the first-ever Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards kicked off in the Key West Theater. At the time, Tap Johnson had recently purchased the theater and donated the space — making the Bubbas the first official event in the theater. 
In 2014 there were more than 75 categories. Winners like The Studios of Key West began legacies that continue today. They are one of the few winners that has won their category in all six years of the Bubbas. In fact, the following year (2015), when The Key West Theater was undergoing renovations, The Studios of Key West generously offered their new location across the street on Eaton Street. Thus, the 2015 Bubbas became one of the first official events on the second floor of The Studios. 
A look at the 2017 Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards. By this time, the Bubbas had grown into more than 90 categories of winners, along with more than $60,000 raised for local charities. 
By 2017, the Bubbas were back at The Key West Theater and had become a household name — attracting some of Key West’s most recognizable characters. 
The hits and skits keep on coming. Although 2019 marks the last crazy night of the Bubbas on stage (like former Key West Police Chief Donie Lee and Key West City Commissioner Clayton Lopez) we hope to return the Bubbas to the stage…and to all businesses in 2021. 
In 2019, Nick Doll and many other local celebrities celebrated a Bubba victory, while adding to more than $85,000 raised for charities and nonprofits in a six-year span. 
The Bubbas are more than just awards and skits, like this moment in 2019 when outgoing Key West City Manager Jim Scholl was honored for his years of service to the city.
