Key West to Host 10 Days of Outrageous Celebration April 18–27
Pack your pirate hat, your cow costume, and possibly some Cuban bread (stale most popular). The Conch Republic is throwing itself a birthday bash April 18–27, and also you’re invited to the world’s wackiest sovereignty celebration in Key West.
This annual nonsense-fueled fiesta marks the forty third anniversary of the Conch Republic’s courageous (and deeply unserious) secession from the US, a 1982 stunt sparked by a pesky Border Patrol checkpoint and fueled by Keys-style defiance. The “struggle” was declared, bread was thrown, the give up was prompt, and a tongue-in-cheek plea for $1 billion in overseas help was made. Spoiler: the test’s nonetheless within the mail.
Today, the Conch Republic is much less of a rogue nation and extra of a roguish one, with a motto of “We Seceded The place Others Failed,” and a pageant schedule that’s principally a 10-day selection present of absurdity, freedom, and festivity.
Friday, April 18: The Republic rises once more at Mallory Sq. (4:30 p.m.) with a gap ceremony and flag-raising. Anticipate conchs, costumes, and cocktails. Stick round for the Schooner Wharf Bar’s gala kickoff celebration the place the revolution will likely be accessorized.
Saturday, April 19: Heels will break. Dignity will likely be non-obligatory. The legendary Conch Republic Drag Races take over Duval Road at 2 p.m. Beautiful queens in precarious footwear race, dodge obstacles, and make RuPaul appear like an novice.
Sunday, April 20: Moo or hop your method throughout the Cow Key Bridge within the completely unathletic Bovines & Bunnies Zero Ok, a charity “race” the place the one actual competitors is for finest costume.
Wednesday, April 23: At 4:30 p.m., the Prime Minister Emeritus Dennis Wardlow and Speaker of the Home Paul Menta host a nostalgic nod to the Nice Secession. Then it’s over to the Sundown Pier for a salty, teary-eyed farewell to Capt. Finbar Gittelman, pirate, captain, and Conch Republic legend, who’s certainly now crusing the celestial seas.
Thursday, April 24: The World’s Loooooongest Parade struts from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of America. Sure, we parade your entire island. Sure, it’s ridiculous. No, we received’t shorten it.
Friday, April 25: The Nice Sea Battle of the Conch Republic returns! Witness schooners, sea canine, and cannon smoke in an epic marine melee towards “evil federal forces.” Spoiler alert: the Conch Republic wins yearly.
Saturday, April 26: We strap wheels to beds and race them down Duval Road within the gloriously unhinged Blue Ribbon Mattress Races. Later, be a part of the Schooner Wharf Pirate Ball, the place everybody’s a wench, a rogue, or very confused.
All through the week, you’ll additionally discover:
- Sultry salsa at Sizzling Havana Nights
- Sundown sails and blue-water adventures
- Seaside cleanups (even pirates like clear sand)
- Naval parades and open-air jazz
- Artisan markets and good vibes galore
The celebration wraps up Sunday, April 27, with a market, music, and a closing regatta. All proof that, whereas we might have seceded, we by no means surrendered our proper to throw an unforgettable bash.
Full schedule and pageant data
Key West journey data
#WeSeceded #ConchRepublic #OnlyInTheKeys