Vol. 3, No. 11

September 2007

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Photos by Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau

A float rolls on Duval Street during the 2006 Captain Morgan Fantasy Fest Parade.

By Carol Shaughnessy
Florida Keys News Bureau

Fans of the flamboyant are invited to step through the looking glass into a wacky wonderland during Fantasy Fest 2007. Themed "Gnomes, Toads & White Rabbit Tea Parties," the riotous romp is scheduled Friday, Oct. 19, through Sunday, Oct. 28.

Internationally recognized as Key West's premier annual festival, Fantasy Fest allows revelers to shed their real-world personalities and explore their wildest fantasies. In keeping with the theme, organizers encourage participants to draw inspiration from twisted fairytales, mystical myths and "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." Costumes and parade floats might recall sinuous swamp creatures, hospitable hobbits, oversized ogres or white rabbit revels — all presented with the engagingly offbeat flair that characterizes the popular festival.

Fantasy Fest's enchanted extravaganza begins with a coronation ball set for the night of Friday, Oct. 19, where a king and queen are crowned to reign over the festivities.

An unusual bride and groom walk during last year's parade.

Wonderland is to reach its wildest pitch Saturday, Oct. 27, during the Captain Morgan Fantasy Fest Parade through Key West's historic downtown. Marching groups garbed in feathered and sequined robes, Caribbean bands, costumed characters and lavishly decorated motorized floats — some with moving parts that tower two stories high — are to converge in an eye-popping procession cheered by tens of thousands of spectators.

For more information about Fantasy Fest and a complete schedule of events, visit the festival's Web site at www.fantasyfest.net or call (305) 296-1817.

Photos courtesy of Curry Hammock State Park

Kayakers paddle in Curry Hammock State Park.

By Bob Serata
Florida Keys News Bureau

In an area that includes so many of nature's marvels, people often forget to "get back to nature." But the Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival, set for Friday through Sunday, Oct. 12-14, serves as a unique reminder to experience the natural, unspoiled Florida Keys.

The festival kicks off Friday, Oct. 12, with a welcome reception at the Marathon Garden Club, mile marker (MM) 50 bayside in Marathon.

Keynote speaker is to be Marc C. Minno, Ph.D., an entomologist and zoologist whose books include "Butterflies of the Florida Keys," "Florida Butterfly Gardening" and "Florida Butterfly Caterpillars and Their Host Plants." He plans to speak on attracting butterflies to Keys gardens.

Saturday, Oct. 13, is to be filled with a selection of field trips, programs and an environmental fair set to run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Curry Hammock State Park, MM 56.2 oceanside.

Scheduled presenters are to include Bob Showler of Everglades National Park, speaking about flamingos, and Sunny Bass discussing birds of the Dry Tortugas.

The environmental fair is to feature booths that offer information, education and products that encourage and support eco-friendly lifestyles.

An eagle soars to the delight of participants at last year's festival.

The focus Sunday, Oct. 14, is to remain on kids with the Children's Environmental Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Curry Hammock.

A $15 per person festival registration fee provides admission to the Friday kick-off reception and a wide variety of guided walks and seminars. There is no charge for admission to the environmental fairs at Curry Hammock, but some kayak and garden tours require separate additional fees.

For more details, call the Key Deer Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center at (305) 872-0774 or Curry Hammock State Park at (305) 289-2690.

The Banyan Resort and the Gardens Hotel recently became the Florida Keys' first certified members of the Green Lodging Program, created by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to recognize and reward environmentally conscious lodging facilities in the state. The two Old Town Key West properties were awarded "one-palm" certification for their environmental commitment.

The Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources. Properties are evaluated in categories including water and energy conservation, waste reduction, indoor air quality and communication of green practices to guests. They must also have goals for continued improvements that can earn them "two-palm" and "three-palm" certification.

Environmentally friendly aspects of the Banyan Resort, a 38-suite property at 323 Whitehead St., include a towel and linen reuse program, a recycling program, energy conservation through solar roof panels for pool heating and high-efficiency compact fluorescent lighting, and purchasing products with recycled content such as plastic lumber used for courtyard decking.

The Gardens Hotel, an 18-room property at 526 Angela St., has implemented an environmental policy to communicate green living to guests as well as elements including low-flow faucets to conserve water and energy, a linen and towel reuse program, an automatic door closer and energy-efficient garden pump, a recycling program and purchasing products with recycled content and reduced packaging. In addition, four electric cars were purchased for staff errands around Key West.

To view a comprehensive story on the Green Lodging Program's award winners and see photos, click here.

Photo by Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau

Gloria Estefan "Congas" in Key West Singer Gloria Estefan performs a song from her upcoming CD "90 Millas (Miles)," during a television taping of Univision network's "Despierta America," Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Westin Key West Resort and Marina. The show is scheduled to air Sept. 17, the day before the CD, sung entirely in Spanish, is to be released. Key West is just 90 miles north of Havana, Cuba.

For more travel information on the Florida Keys:
www.fla-keys.com