Nominated for Best Festival/Event by Keys Weekly’s Best of Upper Keys, Island Fest continued to delight young and old alike on April 1-2. Festival goers enjoyed family-friendly activities, food, drinks and art at Founders Park beach.
Foodies were keen to sample a showcase of Florida Keys cuisine with the aptly named “A Taste of Islamorada,” where several restaurants competed for two days for prizes, with dishes spanning many regions around the world. Judges had the difficult task as they tasted the offerings.
Judging by the ever-present small crowd at the Off the Hook Churrascaria booth, it was no surprise the People’s Choice Award went to Off the Hook for its selection of chorizo tacos, picanha, churrasco, Maine Lobster bisque and their prime cut steak, homemade pork sausage and mojo glazed baby back ribs.
There were some new faces to the Taste of Islamorada this year, which surprised the judges with their creative and innovative fare. Saylor Ashton’s Sunrise Grill and Big Daddy’s Grub and Beach Pub, whose grand opening was just a few weeks ago, took the Best Soup category with a fire-roasted red pepper shrimp chowder. Newcomer Italian Food Company Express snagged the Best Appetizer category with its delectable pizza al taglio, while Shima took home the prize for Best Entrée for its pork belly fried rice. Not content with winning one award, Shima also nabbed a second award, the sweetest award, Best Dessert, with the nutty goodness of its pistachio tiramisu.
The cacio de pepe at Italian Food Company Express’ A Taste of Rome booth didn’t win any prizes this year, but it was popular among attendees. The meal is a hot, house-made pasta tossed within a fresh pecorino romano cheese wheel and flavored with black peppercorns.
Stretched out across the field were art booths at the Plantation Yacht Harbor Arts & Crafts Show, which held more than 80 skilled artisans. Winner of Best of Show was South Florida artist Stephanie Lavender, whose collection of highly dimensional, textural, tropical-inspired fine art had already earned her numerous awards. Lavender incorporates glass with cork, moss, shells, mushrooms and corals in her art. Also honored at the art show was Sherry Whorl, Florida-based stained glass artist of Classic Glass Studios, who took home the Most Creative Artisan award for her one-of-a-kind stained glass art.
On April 1, children enjoyed a rousing “What Floaties Your Boat?” race, where the youngest sailors proved their mettle while taking their homemade creations on the water right at Founders Park beach. Children also got to participate in hula-hoop contests, added decorations to a life-sized dolphin sculpture, and had the fun and awe of meeting and greeting a real-life mermaid, and posing for pictures.
Competition was fierce at “What Floats Your Boat?” — the adult version of the homemade boat race that brought together local nonprofits, businesses and organizations. Keys Chocolates and Ice Cream wowed crowds at the races with their watercraft “S.S. Keys Chocolates,” which took the coveted “Lucky Ducky Admiral Award.”
Landlubbers and car lovers were not left high and dry but instead enjoyed fabulous vintage automobiles at the All-American Road Vintage Cruisers Show.
Sand castle creations dotted the landscape, palm trees adding to the effect. The heat was gratefully tempered with some breeze, and those who had forethought brought their bathing suits to cool down in the ocean.
The theme for this year’s sand castle contest was seashells, seahorses and starfish, which Team Ocean Studies Charter School, led by Carole Hoeltje, executed well, bringing them the highest honor.
“We look forward to this contest every year so that we can creatively represent our Keys community,” said Hoeltje. “It feels good to win, too!”
Island music provided the perfect backdrop to the festival all weekend, with headliners Coconut Cowboys rocking out and closing the show Sunday afternoon.
A tradition for 31 years running on the first Saturday and Sunday in April, Island Fest, hosted by the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce, continues to draw crowds near and far for a celebration of Islamorada and the Florida Keys with music, art, food, and fun … and cars.
A crafty sand castle. CONTRIBUTED 
Mermaid Mariah hangs out by the water. CONTRIBUTED 
A number of artists set up booths. 
Children decorate a dolphin along the beach. CONTRIBUTED 
Keys Chocolates and Ice Cream wowed crowds at the races with their watercraft “S.S. Keys Chocolates,” which took the coveted “Lucky Ducky Admiral Award.” CONTRIBUTED 
A festival goer checks out some artwork. CONTRIBUTED 
MarineLab plankton races. CONTRIBUTED 
Dan Furmanik on the guitar. CONTRIBUTED 
You are never to young to love a gorgeous car. CONTRIBUTED 
Best Chowder went to Saylor Ashton’s Sunrise Grill. CONTRIBUTED 
Newcomer Italian Food Company Express snagged the Best Appetizer category with its delectable pizza al taglio. CONTRIBUTED 
Off the Hook Churrascaria, of Islamorada, won the People’s Choice at the Taste of Islamorada during Island Fest. CONTRIBUTED 
SHIMA wins best entree for its pork belly fried rice. CONTRIBUTED 
SHIMA wins best dessert ith the nutty goodness of its pistachio tiramisu. 
Artist Pasta Pantaleo paints to the tunes at the beach. CONTRIBUTED 
Most Creative Artisan Sherry Whorl with Islamorada Chamber of Commerce President Craig McBay. CONTRIBUTED
