Key Westers Paul Murphy and Julie Hanson host the Art of Wine Gallery Tour and Wine Stroll along Duval Street on April 21. Proceeds from the event benefitted Key West’s Sister Season Fund, which helps service industry workers who are unable to work pay bills during illness or injury.
Key West wrapped a week of outlandish events to celebrate 39 years of the Conch Republic’s independence, which is summarized at conchrepublic.com:
The Conch Republic was born on April 23, 1982, in response to a United States Border Patrol blockade of the Florida Keys. Since the United States insisted on treating the Keys like a foreign country, then-Mayor Dennis Wardlow “seceded” from the Union. Today we stand proudly as a community of who have a ‘Sovereign State of Mind’ and as the ‘People who seceded where others have failed.’”
Events included a boat parade, an art stroll, a pool bar stroll, sunset cruises, a fashion show, wine tastings, a street fair and an absinthe-tasting party at the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum.
Jackie Gwidt of Breakthru Beverage hides the labels of featured wines during the April 20 Where in the World blind wine tasting at Hugh’s View, the rooftop venue at The Studios of Key West. The annual Conch Republic Wearable Art Fashion Show on April 17 at Key West Theater
features the latest island lifestyle looks worn by local influencers on the runway. A portion of the proceeds from fashion sales benefit the Conch Republic Foster Children’s Fund.A sunset boat parade celebrates the Conch Republic’s independence on April 23 in Key West Harbor.
