- Saturday, Sept. 8
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Florida Keys Recovery Celebration
Big Pine Community Park
Hosted by State Attorney Dennis Ward, it will be party central at Big Pine Community Park on Saturday, Sept. 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“While there is much more to do, evidence of recovery is everywhere, from reopened businesses to repaired homes,” Ward said. “Members of our countywide community made that happen and this Florida Keys Recovery Celebration serves to commemorate the successes so far.”
The party is co-hosted by Coca-Cola Beverages Florida (Coke Florida), the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, Centennial Bank, We Love Big Pine and the United Way of the Florida Keys.
The family-friendly event will include a variety of free food, beverages, live music, children’s activities, animals from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Animal Farm and giveaways. Organizers will also recognize the people and groups that played a role in getting the Keys through the storm and that continue to play a role in Florida Keys recovery.
Big Pine Community Park is located at 31009 Atlantis Drive, at the end of Sands Road on the bayside. Some tables and chairs will be available; guests are welcome to bring their own. The event is free.
- Saturday, Sept. 8
4 p.m. until close
KeysStrong-ER Party
Overseas Pub and Grill
Join Tim O’Connell and all the other locals at the party on Saturday, Sept. 8 beginning at 4 p.m. at the Overseas Pub and Grill in Marathon.
The event includes live music, games, food (a $10 chicken dinner), drinks and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit KAIR (Keys Area Interdenominational Resources), a crisis center and food bank in the Middle Keys.
“Not everybody is 100 percent. KAIR is the only safety net that we have for people. They are doing their damnedest to help people stay here — solving their immediate problems and looking for long-term solutions. By helping KAIR out, we are helping the community. They are our last outpost,” said Tim O’Connell of Overseas Pub.
DJ Jared of TowBoatU.S. is helping organize the evening and he will be spinning tunes from the ‘80s, ‘90s and more beginning at 9:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 9
6 to 8 p.m.
The 1st Irmaversary
Marathon Community Park
The City of Marathon is having a bash on Sunday, Sept. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the park to celebrate “our city’s progress this past year.”
“We’ve come a long way in one year. This party acknowledges our successes blah blha blah blah,” said City Manager Chuck Lindsey.
The festivities include food, ice cream and toppings, games, arts and crafts and music. Local emergency vehicles will be on display for kids to inspect, and recovery and rescue organizations will have booths with more information.
- Monday, Sept. 10
4 to 9 p.m.
Irmaversary Pig Roast
Havana Jack’s
“We don’t run from hurricanes … we drink them!” That’s the party cry for the shindig at Havana Jack’s in Key Colony Beach. The party runs from 4 to 9 p.m. and features a “pig plate” served with rice and beans, corn on the cob and other sides for $16.
“For us, this party is about how we all pulled together during the storm and the recovery effort that everyone worked so hard on,” said Jennifer Stallings. “To see where we are just a year later … it’s inspiring.”
Massai Andi will be performing live and the waterfront restaurant and bar will be donating $2 for each Hurricane cocktail sold to the local chapter of the Disabled American Veterans.
Late-breaking
Irmaversary announcements:
- The Dolphin Research Center: Saturday, Sept. 15 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with free admission for locals.
- Blue Marlin Jewelry: Sunday, Sept. 9 at 11 a.m. at the shop located at 81549 Old Hwy., Islamorada, with free BBQ.
- Baby’s Coffee: Free breakfast-brunch on Sunday, Sept. 9 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at MM 31, catered by Chef Drew’s Island Catering.
