Who knew that what started as a slogan on a bumper sticker would later morph into one of the season’s hottest events? Now in its fifth year, the “I Love Stock Island” Festival, which takes place from Wednesday, June 16 through Sunday, June 20, encompasses five great days of the very best Stock Island has to offer.
There are all kinds of foodie events, art strolls, history tours, live entertainment, a fishing tournament, and the freshest, most delicious straight-off-the-boat seafood you’ll ever taste. The festival is also a celebration of Stock Island’s colorful and vibrant heritage. The charming little island has always been known as a tight knit working community — from its days as a freighter port with “stock” for the liveries and a landing for the Key West to Cuba ferry, to today’s bustling fishing docks and live-aboard marinas — it’s a rustic, eclectic place that reflects the way Key West once was.
“So, just where is Stock Island?” you may ask. This tiny parcel of land lies just over Cow Key Channel and is only a stone’s throw from Key West. Don’t miss this chance to discover and explore one of our very special island communities. Here’s a full schedule of that’s going on. For more info, go to ILoveStockIsland.org.
Wednesday, June 16
Let’s Get This Festival Started
Come take a picture in front of the 2021 I Love Stock Island Festival sign! Post your picture with the hashtag #ilovestockisland for a chance to win I Love Stock Island gear. Takes place all weekend long at Tom Thumb Grass Circle. 5690 Maloney Ave. Key West.
Stock Island Clean-Up
Join Lazy Dog Adventures’ sea clean-up or The Monroe County Sheriff Office and Waste Management’s land clean-up. To participate in the sea clean-up, reserve your kayak through Lazy Dog Adventures for 3 – 4:30pm This is a FREE rental with limited availability. For the Land clean-up: Meet at Stock Rock Cafe at 3PM. 5001 Fifth Ave. Key West. For the Sea clean-up: Meet at Lazy Dog Adventures in Hurricane Hole Marina. 5114 Overseas Hwy, Key West. After the clean-ups, join other volunteers, family, and friends for “Happy Helpers Happy Hour” from 5 – 7pm at Stock Rock Cafe, 5001 5th Ave, Cow Key Marina, Stock Island. Dollar off any beer and buy one get one free for draft beer.
Stock Island Food Truck Tour
Explore Stock Island through the self-guided Stock Island Food Truck Tour. Many food trucks will be offering five-dollar sample plates and various specials. Try one or all. Hours vary and no tickets are required. To discover Stock Island’s favorite food trucks, follow the interactive map at ILoveStockIsland.com.
Dive-In Movie
Swim, soak and float while enjoying the special “Father’s Day” feature film, “Daddy Day Care.” Dive on in for poolside snacks and drink specials. No tickets required. Takes place at 8pm at Oceans Edge Resort & Marina. 5950 Peninsular Ave, Stock Island.
Thursday, July 17
I Love Stock Island Pool Party
Listen to Coconut Victrola’s music by the pool or live broadcast of Rude Girl from WEOW 92.7. Food and drink specials available. No tickets required. Takes place from 4 – 8pm at Oceans Edge Resort & Marina. 5950 Peninsular Ave, Stock Island.
Dinner & Music
Enjoy dinner specials at LL’s Test Kitchen from 5 – 9pm. James Whitehead performs from 6 – 9pm. No tickets required. Takes place at LL’s Test Kitchen at Stock Island Yacht Club & Marina. 6000 Peninsular Ave, Stock Island.
Shrimpstock
Once a year, Stock Island chefs come together to prepare fresh local shrimp several ways. Preparation methods include shrimp ceviche, coconut shrimp, creole shrimp, chipotle BBQ shrimp, tempura shrimp, and more! Cash bar with specials on local craft beer. Takes place from 6 – 8:30pm with live music until 10pm at The Art Shack. 6404 Front St, Stock Island.
Friday, June 18
Art Stroll Open House
Discover one of the Key’s hidden gems: The Stock Island Art District where you can explore a Variety of eclectic shops and working studios with multiple artists and disciplines from sculptures to woodworking, mosaics to screen printing, and soaps to fabric art. Takes place from 11am — 5pm. Participating galleries and shops include:
•Collections Key West at Safe Harbor Marina;
•The Art Shack, 6404 Front Street
•The Shops at Perry Hotel, 7001 Shrimp Road
•The Stock Yard Studios, 5700 4th Ave
•The Studios at Stock Island Marina Village, 7005 Shrimp Road
•Washed Up Studios, 6475 2nd St.
•Yodanis Studios, 6310 2nd St.
Island Farmers Market At Lost Beach
Honey, fresh produce, homemade food and drinks, art, crafts, jewelry, island furniture, and more at the first Island Farm at Lost Beach farmers market. Visit for lunch, take a farm tour and relax on Lost Beach or rent kayaks for a paddle adventure. Takes place fro 11am – 6pm at 7200 5th St. Stock Island.
Live From the Lawn
Suénalo, a nine-piece Latin funk band from Miami performs at Sloppy Joe’s Dockside at the Perry Hotel. Hang out with friends and family while enjoying specialty cocktails with a view.
Takes [lace from 8 – 10pm at the Perry Hotel, 7001 Shrimp Rd, Stock Island.
Taste of Stock Island Food Tour
Board the Old Town Trolley for a culinary tour of nine of Stock Island’s favorite restaurants. At each stop you will enjoy a specially selected small plate and beverage pairing that will be explained by an expert. Each small group is lead by a local tour guide. Takes place from 4 – 7:30pm at the Perry Hotel, 7001 Shrimp Rd. Stock Island.
Sweet Heat at Lost Beach
Get down for one wild hootenanny that features live music, bonfire pits and food vendors dishing out good eats. Get sandy. Get sticky. Get toasted. Takes place from 7 – 10pm at 7200 5th St, Stock Island.
Saturday, June 19
Stock Island History Tour
Tour Stock Island in the comfort of the Up The Keys’ air-conditioned tour van and learn about Stock Island’s rich history, colorful characters and the island’s old Florida Keys lifestyle that it is still present today. Tours leave at 10am, 11am and 1pm from the Stock Island Marina Village. 7005 Shrimp Rd. Stock Island.
Island Farmers Market At Lost Beach
Honey, fresh produce, homemade food and drinks, art, crafts, jewelry, island furniture, and more at the first Island Farm at Lost Beach farmers market. Visit for lunch, take a farm tour and relax on Lost Beach or rent kayaks for a paddle adventure. Takes place fro 11am — 4pm at 7200 5th St. Stock Island.
Art Stroll Open House
Discover one of the Key’s hidden gems: The Stock Island Art District where you can explore a
Variety of eclectic shops and working studios with multiple artists and disciplines from sculptures to woodworking, mosaics to screen printing, and soaps to fabric art. Takes place from 11am — 5pm. Participating galleries and shops include:
•Collections Key West at Safe Harbor Marina;
•The Art Shack, 6404 Front Street
•The Shops at Perry Hotel, 7001 Shrimp Road
•The Stock Yard Studios, 5700 4th Ave
•The Studios at Stock Island Marina Village, 7005 Shrimp Road
•Washed Up Studios, 6475 2nd St.
•Yodanis Studios, 6310 2nd St.
99 Miles to Cuba at Island Farm
Viva La Caja China! Join Island Farm at Lost Beach for an authentic Cuban pig roast and beach party — exactly 99 miles from Havana, Cuba. Juicy pulled pork and all the fixins served from 5-8PM and then dance on the sand to the southernmost salsa by Rolando Rojas and Caribe of Key west. Fair warning — this is NOT your typical sit-down dining experience! Takes place from 5 – 10pm at 7200 5th St. Stock Island.
Summer Daze & Derby Check in
The Summer Daze Poolside Party includes Father’s Day Fishing Derby registration drink and lunch specials and a performance by DJ Aaron Moore. FYI: The first thirty Father’s Day Fishing Derby entrants will receive goodie dry bags. No tickets required. Takes place demo noon — 4pm at Stock Island Yacht Club & Marina, 6000 Peninsular Ave, Stock Island.
Sunday, June 20
Father’s Day Yoga on the Lawn
Grab your Dad (dog dads, too)! and your mat for a special Father’s Day yoga session. This peaceful, one-of-a-kind practice on the waterfront is ideal for yogis of all levels. Takes place from 9 – 9:45am at Perry Hotel & Stock Island Marina Village Event Lawn. 7001 Shrimp Rd, Stock Island.
Family Day on the Farm
You and your dad can tour the farm, try out the archery range, play horseshoes on the beach, kayak and enjoy a picnic lunch. Face painting, animal feeding, ice pops and more. Takes place from 10am – 3pm at 7200 5th St. Stock Island.
Sunday Brunch
Celebrate Father’s Day with brunch at the Hogfish Bar & Grill. Get a FREE Bloody Mary for Dad with the purchase of his entrée and by telling your server: “I LOVE STOCK ISLAND!” Reservations not required. Takes place from 11am — 2pm at 6810 Front St, Stock Island.
Stock Island History Tour
Tour Stock Island in the comfort of the Up The Keys’ air-conditioned tour van and learn about Stock Island’s rich history, colorful characters and the island’s old Florida Keys lifestyle that it is still present today. Tours leave at 10am, 11am and 1pm from the Stock Island Marina Village. 7005 Shrimp Rd. Stock Island.
Photos & Trap-wood Frames with Dad
Damon Designs shows Kids and Dads how to hand craft a one-of-a-kind frame from reclaimed lobster trap wood. A photographer will capture the moment through a family photo on our I Love Stock Island photo set. Food and beverages included.
Takes place from 1 – 3pm at The Art Shack, 6404 Front St. Key West, FL 33040.
Father’s Day Family Fishing Derby
Spend Father’s Day out on the water with Dad during this special Father’s Day Fishing Derby. Awards will be given for best team dance party, best angling outfits, longest fish, shortest fish, and most total inches. Any species of fish qualifies. A Fish Fry Beach Party & Awards Ceremony follows at LL’s Test Kitchen. Tournament takes place from 11am — 5pm at Stock Island Yacht Club & Marina, 6000 Peninsular Ave, Stock Island,
Father’s Day Fish Fry Beach Party
Whether you participate in the Father’s Day Fishing Derby or not, come celebrate Father’s Day and Stock Island at the Father’s Day Fish Fry! Live music by Coconut Victrola. Takes place from 5 – 8pm at LL’s Test Kitchen at Stock Island Yacht Club & Marina, 6000 Peninsular Ave, Stock Island.
More info and tickets for all of these events at ILoveStockIsland.org
