What do Key West and the Strait of Hormuz have in common?
The Bubba Awards, of course. It’s true, I’m serious.
Every year, we get a software “heat map” that shows clusters of where engagement came from.
In the past, we’ve had participation from every continent except Antarctica and this year, we had votes cast from the Strait of Hormuz, Kuwait, Israel, Lebanon and other places where people have a lot more on their minds than who makes the best key lime pie in Key West.
But this year, at least one of our U.S servicemembers stationed in each of those places found five minutes to escape to a familiar place and log onto keysweekly.com. From literal war zones, they chose the people, places and projects that make this community special to them.
From all of us here at the Keys Weekly, we THANK YOU for your service and for thinking of us.
Nominations and votes for this year’s Bubba Awards came from more than a dozen countries, and all 50 states.
No matter where you were when you voted, no matter where you are now, thank you,
At its core, the Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards are about the people who make this island a place we all love.
Who are the winners?
The winners will be announced and recognized at our sold-out awards show on Saturday, July 25 and they’ll be featured in the Key West Weekly newspaper on Thursday, July 30 and then at keysweekly.com. But keep an eye on social media starting the night of July 25 — everybody posts about a Bubbas win.
And with all proceeds from ticket sales benefiting Keys Kids Health Centers (formerly AHEC), this whole island wins.
Thanks for joining us again for the 2026 Bubba Awards and best of luck to the nominees.
