Anglers compete for prizes and trophies in this annual event targeting snook, redfish, bonefish, tarpon and permit. Proceeds benefit the Guides Trust Foundation. Highlights include a beachside barbecue and an awards banquet characteristic of Cheeca’s casual elegance., Contact: 360-288-2436 (PT), Email: jolsen@cheeca.com
Nontraditional artistry and beachside fun combine in a unique creative experience for participants and spectators. Visitors can watch leading U.S. and international sand sculptors construct and display large-scale creations over Thanksgiving weekend on the Atlantic Ocean beach at the Casa Marina Resort, 1500 Reynolds St., Email: info@sandisle.com, Big Pine & the Lower Keys /11/26/2016, Big Pine & The Lower Keys Island Art Festival, Highlights of this holiday event include live music by local entertainers, food, exhibits and booths featuring locally produced arts and crafts. Festivities traditionally take place on the grounds of the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, MM 31 oceanside., Contact: 305-872-2411, Email: executivedirector@lowerkeyschamber.com
The first leg of the triple-crown Florida Keys Gold Cup Championship series is the only tournament in the series to offer a junior division for anglers age 16 and younger. Unlimited anglers are allowed per vessel. d, Contact: Dianne Harbaugh 305-522-4868 , Email: ditournaments@aol.com, Key West /12/31/2016, New Year’s Eve Shoe Drop Celebration, The Southernmost City celebrates with a descending 6-foot red high heel shoe carrying drag queen Sushi at the Bourbon Street Pub/New Orleans House complex, 724 Duval St. Seconds before midnight, the high heel bearing a lavishly gowned and coiffed Sushi is to be lowered from the second-story balcony of the complex toward the cheering crowds below. As midnight strikes and the New Year officially begins, she will land and gleefully pop the cork on a ceremonial bottle of champagne., Email: schroedkw@aol.com
The Key West Triathlon and Expo expects to host a maximum of 1,000 participants and some of the sport’s best known triathletes; TRIKW allows you to bask in the warm weather and the waters of the Atlantic Ocean while the rest of the country is experiencing winter. Olympic and Sprint distances.
“Enjoy garden tours
“American masterpiece about the universal pull that we all feel for “home.” Carrie Watts is an elderly widow
“A master of impersonations
“Shallow water flats anglers and guides are invited to hook-up and fight their barracuda rivals. Event is to be headquartered at Hurricane Hole Marina
“Educational lectures are open to the public
“Colorful Civil War re-enactments
“In this light-tackle challenge
“Female impersonator extraordinaire Randy Roberts brings a one man
“All-release tournament offers fishing for bonefish
“Artists and craftspeople are to exhibit their work from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at this weekend event
“With paintings on exhibition in hundreds of museums and galleries worldwide
“A large regional charity competition that typically draws more than 200 anglers
“A giant plant sale offers visitors the opportunity to peruse a wide array of native and exotic tropical plants
“From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Teams of up to four divers compete for cash and prizes. Derby divers who successfully remove invasive lionfish from sanctuary waters can win for most
“This fun day of fishing is only for actively employed bartenders and restaurant employees. Trophies are awarded to individual anglers as well as the bar a team represents