Key West’s annual Key Lime Competition returns July 2-6, serving up a celebration of a sure citrus. From culinary occasions and excursions to competitions, the competition takes place in varied venues throughout the island the place Key lime pie was born.
Festivities launch Wednesday, July 2 with an all-new kickoff occasion on the veranda of the Avalon Mattress & Breakfast Inn. Competition co-founder David Sloan will welcome festivalgoers and autograph copies of his “Key West Key Lime Pie Cookbook,” adopted by a celebration that includes a dwell band on Duval Road.
July 3 encompasses a Key Lime Pie Hop, a downtown tasting tour to pattern assorted variations of the deal with. Different choices embody a “Wheeling & Dealing Scorching Wheels Race” at Mary Ellen’s Bar and “Sloppy Joe’s Final Key Lime Smash Occasion,” which raises funds for charity whereas delivering whipped cream wallops to some native superstar faces.
On July 3 at 6 p.m. on the Key West Truman Waterfront, the U.S. Coast Guard plans (real-life emergencies allowing) to stage a dramatic search and rescue demonstration on the water, full with a helicopter and go-fast boats. From 7 to 9 p.m., attendees can go to the historic USCGC Ingham – essentially the most adorned ship in Coast Guard historical past – for a sundown reception that includes a efficiency by the Coast Guard Band and members of the USCG culinary workforce dishing up Key lime deserts.
Independence Day occasions begin early with the annual Rotary Membership of Key West’s Fourth of July 5K. From there, head over to the Southernmost Seashore Café for actions main as much as the 2025 Key Lime Pie Consuming Championship, together with seashore video games and a Key Lime Vendor Village that opens at 10 a.m.
The pie-eating contest begins at 1:30 p.m. Twenty-five rivals every try to devour a 9-inch pie within the quickest time, with out utilizing their fingers. Contestants can register prematurely on the competition web site.
Different July 4 occasions embody a pool celebration at Dante’s Key West Pool Bar & Restaurant and the Rotary Membership of Key West’s Patriotic Grill Out underneath the Fireworks down by Higgs Seashore.
On July 5, those that relish warmth can take a sizzling lap to the “5-Alarm Pie Problem,” on the Alex Vega Key West Firehouse Museum. Suppose Key lime pie taken to incendiary heights by way of artistic culinary twists. There’s additionally the candy and salty Key Lime Sip & Stroll, the place contributors can vote on the perfect Key Lime cocktails and margaritas served up by a number of taking part bars. Topping off the day is a free live performance, “Miss Americana – A Tribute to Taylor Swift,” at sundown at Ocean Key Resort’s Sundown Pier.
Occasions proceed July 6. Extra data is at keylimefestival.com.