The first Tuesday of the month, from now through April, offers locals and visitors alike a unique opportunity to shop for locally made products and enjoy an educational dolphin performance at the same time.
“It’s fun for the public to come watch the dolphins and it’s also great for them to learn a little bit about what we do with the animals,” said Marylou Wright, Dolphins Plus director of education. “We’ve just had really great feedback from the general public, they enjoy the demonstrations that we do.”
This is the second year the Key Largo Artisans Market is being held at Dolphins Plus Bayside located at 101900 Overseas Highway. The event brings together dozens of local artists, bakers and other vendors.
Paula Wittke and husband Jeff Wingate own Pirate Hat Apiary, specializing in Florida Keys Honey. These markets serve as a great opportunity to introduce their products to the local community. Wittke says this venue is extra special, offering the general public a chance to see a free dolphin educational demonstration.
“I love that it’s here and they’re opening their doors,” said Wittke. “I think it’s very gracious for them to do that, I think it’s very important for the kids to get the opportunity to see that.”
Kimberly Smith owns Linking the Keys. She makes clasp-less permanent jewelry that can be applied with a welder in minutes. Smith has a physical location at Cirque Salon Studio at MM 101 in the Publix shopping plaza. Artisans markets, like this one, helped Smith grow the business she started two years ago.
“This is how I started or I wouldn’t have a studio now,” said Smith.
For Smith, this location is also extra special.
“It really is a great venue. I used to be a dolphin trainer here so I’m pretty familiar with the facility as well,” she added.
From jewelry, to food, to one-of-a-kind pieces of art, the market offers a little something for everyone. Key Largo resident Kristel Frimpter fell in love with a painting on display at the market.
“It’s a painting of a woman on the beach and it’s very three dimensional and it’s absolutely beautiful. Totally caught my eye and I needed to have it,” Frimpter said.
The next Key Largo Artisans Market takes place Tuesday, Dec. 2 from 5 to 8 p.m. and it’s a special holiday event.
“I’m excited to see how December is going to be because December last year was pretty good,” Smith said.
The Holiday Sunset Soirée is free to the public and will feature live music, a free ornament painting station, food, craft beer and wine and a holiday photo op with Santa Claus. There will be a special dolphin presentation at sunset. More information on this event and future market dates and times is at the Dolphins Plus and Key Largo Artisans Facebook pages.
