Whether composing novels in his Whitehead Street writing studio or fishing for big game in local waters, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway left a powerful legacy in Key West. His zest for life, literary accomplishments and enduring affection for the island he called home throughout the 1930s are to be commemorated Tuesday through Sunday, July 15-20, during the annual Hemingway Days celebration.
The schedule includes a popular look-alike contest, authors' readings and presentations, a book signing for a children's book by Hemingway grandson Edward Hemingway, an exhibition of rare Hemingway memorabilia, a three-day marlin tournament, an offbeat "Running of the Bulls" and the culmination of a short story contest directed by author and Hemingway granddaughter Lorian Hemingway.
The festival's leading literary event is the announcement of the winners of the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition. Now in its 28th year, the internationally recognized contest awards $2,000 annually to emerging writers of short fiction.
Lorian Hemingway, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated author, is to announce the victorious writers and introduce the first-place story at an 8 p.m. reception Friday, July 18. The awards gala is to take place at Casa Antigua, 314 Simonton St., where Ernest Hemingway stayed during the 1928 visit that paved the way for his subsequent residence in Key West. Plans call for the event to include a presentation on the property's remarkable history by its owner, publisher Tom Oosterhoudt.
Entries for the literary contest are being accepted through May 15. For entry information and writers' guidelines, visit www.shortstorycompetition.com
Hemingway grandson Edward Hemingway is to showcase the children's book "Bump in the Night," which he both authored and illustrated, at a reception and signing set for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 15. The event is to take place at the popular restaurant Blue Heaven at Thomas and Petronia streets -- once the site of a boxing ring where Ernest Hemingway refereed local boxing matches.
Other literary highlights include "Voices, Places, Inspirations," an evening of readings, discussions and presentations by prominent writers and journalists. Among the scheduled participants is Lorian Hemingway, whose critically acclaimed books include "Walk on Water" and "A World Turned Over."
The presentations are to take place at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, at Wyland Galleries, 623 Duval St., with attendees surrounded by the paintings and sculptures of leading contemporary artists.
An unquestioned festival standout is Sloppy Joe's "Papa" Hemingway Look-Alike Contest, now in its 28th year. The competition traditionally draws as many as 125 stocky, bearded men to compete at Sloppy Joe's Bar, 201 Duval St., the late author's favorite Key West watering hole. Past look-alike winners choose the victor from the field of aspiring Ernests.
Preliminary rounds are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, July 17 and 18, with the selection of the proud "Papa" set for Saturday night in front of a standing-room-only crowd.
For more information and contest registration, visit www.sloppyjoes.com
The "Papas" also take part in other festival activities, including the infamous "Running of the Bulls" -- a zany salute to Pamplona's sporting challenge that rampages through the Key West streets beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 19. No actual bulls are allowed in the lighthearted melee, but spectators can expect to spot manmade bovine replicas.
Other look-alike events traditionally include public photo opportunities, a dockside "fish-off" and scholarship presentations to Florida Keys students.
Those who seek to emulate Ernest Hemingway's fabled angling prowess can do so during the 2008 Key West Marlin Tournament. The tournament offers three days of challenging fishing, with more than $250,000 in available cash prizes for top catches of marlin and other fish.
The tourney is scheduled to begin with registration events Wednesday, July 16, and continue through July 19. Several tournament activities, including a gala charity dinner, benefit Mote Marine Laboratory and its programs in coral reef research, restoration and education.
For more information and registration, visit www.keywestmarlin.com
In addition, Hemingway aficionados can view an ongoing exhibition at the Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House, 281 Front St. The unique exhibit features rare Hemingway family photographs, documents and memorabilia relating to the author's personal life in the island city.
Other events during the festival include daily tours of the author's former Key West home at 907 Whitehead St., Sloppy Joe's Arm Wrestling Competition, a lively Caribbean street fair along Key West's Duval Street and a reading of the thought-provoking play "Storm Surge" by noted southern playwright Hubert Grissom.
Additional festival information is available at www.hemingwaydays.net
For lodging information in Key West, contact the Key West Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-LAST-KEY (800-527-8539) or visit the Keys Web site at
www.fla-keys.com
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