There’s never been an Earth Day party like this in the Middle Keys. On Saturday and Sunday, April 21-22, Keys Cable and oTHErside Boardsports are hosting a party that includes beverages, live street art, music, food, fashion, wakeboarding and more. The setting is the huge 50-acre natural tract on Grassy Key at MM 58. It’s an evolving arts community that features the raw outdoors, cable wakeboarding, nature trails, a garden and so much more.
“This is an Earth centric event that promotes civil action and sustainable brands,” said Matt Sexton. “There’s stuff for the kids and stuff for adults.”
For the celebration, Sexton and his partners, Shana and Mike Walsh, have lots of special stuff planned. There will be a pop-up bar and guests are encouraged to bring their own cups for craft beer, sangria and organic juice cocktails. There will be wakeboarding powered by solar energy. There will be a fashion show of clothing and bathing suits made from upcycled fishing nets, coconuts and plastic bottles. There will be live art – tons and tons of live art.
“We’ve invited nine artists to create using the theme ‘human effects on the environment,’” said Sexton. The site is already art-rich — check out the gigantic sculptures that are part of the Overseas Sculpture Trail and the mural of the skeletonized pink flamingo on the back side of the main building. The visiting artists will spread out all over the property for what are essentially live art demonstrations.
On Sunday morning, the day starts with activism. There will be prizes for the best finds during the Mangrove cleanup that runs from 9 to 11 a.m. Guests are encouraged to work in pairs for maximum efficiency.
“This is our first year, and we’re going all in,” said Shana Walsh. “There are going to be so many activities in one spot with this common theme of sustainability, and doing good things for the Earth.”
For more details, check them out on Instagram @othersideboardsports.
SCHEDULE:
Saturday, April 21
4 to 8 p.m.
- All afternoon: Bongo’s Booze Garden is a pop-up bar collaboration between a “liquid artist” and fresh juice provider.
- 5 p.m.: Big air wakeboarding contest (Register starting at 4 p.m.; $5 to enter).
- 6 p.m.: Live art by Ruben Ubiera
- 6:30 p.m.: Fashion show.
- 7 p.m.: Live flame art from Ivan Roque
Sunday, April 22
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 9 a.m.: Mangrove cleanup with prizes.
- Starting at 11 a.m.: All day wakeboarding passes, Bongo’s Booze Garden, live mural installations, one-wheel obstacle course racing, food, pop-up shops, and live music by Dan Lavoie and Caribbean Slim.
