The Sunset Celebration is back at Mallory Square, featuring acrobats, jugglers, psychics, a tightrope walker and vendors selling food, jewelry, original artwork, photography, T-shirts and other handmade items.
“We were shut down for 81 days between March and June, and are thrilled to be back in action and welcoming some new vendors and performers at discounted rates,” said Ryan Stimers, a wire-bending sculptor at Mallory Square and treasurer of the Cultural Preservation Society, which manages the Sunset Celebration. “We previously had limitations on the number of photographers or jewelry makers who could be a vendor at sunset, but we’ve lifted those limitations and are offering discounted rental rates for newcomers. We also have parking permits, so there’s a good chance a vendor will be able to park for free down there to give the sunset a try.
“We’re thrilled to be back open and bringing in some new faces and talents,” Stimers said. “It’s been a really tough year, and some of our longtime regulars are playing it safe and haven’t been down there during the pandemic.”
In addition to the iconic nightly event that starts 90 minutes before sunset, the Cultural Preservation Society will host a special Small Business Saturday craft fair from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28 at Mallory Square.
“We still have some spaces available for Small Business Saturday,” said organizer Linda McCall. “Interested vendors can email SunsetSmallBizSat@yahoo.com to reserve a space. This is for locally owned businesses that may want a direct, face-to-face exposure to tourists this weekend. It’s also a great opportunity for local artists to give the Sunset Celebration a try. So many artists are out of work right now and we gratefully remain an open venue for them. One of the misconceptions about Sunset Celebration is you have to work a minimum number of nights. That’s not true — work as much or as little as you want. We’d love to have new artists give us a try.”
Masks are mandatory at Mallory Square, as they are in the rest of Key West. Five hand-sanitizing stations have been installed and social-distance markers are on the pavement to keep people apart.
‘Dr. Juice’ is a longtime acrobat at Mallory Square’s Sunset Celebration, amazing the crowd with a combination of stunts and humor. RASA TUBYTE/Contributed 
The nightly Sunset Celebration, shown here prior to the pandemic, has resumed its iconic evening ritual at Mallory Square. RASA TUBYTE/Contributed 
Fire-eating juggler Jase Anderson is a popular fixture at the Sunset Celebration. RASA TUBYTE/Contributed 
