IN PICTURES: KEYS’ LARGEST SHOPPING EVENT ATTRACTS THOUSANDS & RAISES SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS

an aerial view of a camp site near the ocean
Upper Keys Rotary Club’s Gigantic Nautical Flea Market had more than 300 vendor booths on the grounds of Founders Park. DAVID GROSS/Keys Weekl

Thousands of shoppers visited Founders Park in Islamorada, in search of fishing rods, paintings, sun shirts and more at the 28th Gigantic Nautical Flea Market on Feb 25-26. Organized by the Upper Keys Rotary Club, the shopping extravaganza also featured hundreds of vendors and 18 food trucks dishing out burgers, fish sandwiches, tacos, iced treats and other cuisine. Area boat dealers parked some of their finest marine machines at the front of the park and by the beach for patrons to view. Drink booths and beverage carts were busy dishing out Islamorada Brewery & Distillery spirits, rum punch and the famous Bloody Mary. Proceeds from the event, which weren’t available by press time, support a student’s college or technical education through a scholarship.

Upper Keys Rotarians Joe Molinaro, left, Jill Miranda Baker and Bobby Dube at the beer tent. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly
Crafts made out of wood and other materials on sale. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly
Rob Stober, Upper Keys Rotary Club president, and Courtney Conley, new Rotarian and local real estate agent, are ready to dish out the drinks. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly
Rotarians and Coral Shores students greet patrons at the entrance. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly
A flea market goer walks away with a large painting. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly
Volunteer Jason Richards pours an ice cold beverage. JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly
Jim McCarthy
Jim McCarthy is one of the many who escaped the snow and frigid temperatures in Western New York. A former crime & court reporter and city editor for two Western New York newspapers, Jim has been honing his craft since he graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2014. In his 5-plus years in the Keys, Jim has enjoyed connecting with the community. Jim is past president of the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club. When he's not working, he's busy chasing his son, Lucas, around the house and enjoying time with family.

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