Mystical mermaids and creatively costumed musicians playing artist-sculpted instruments are gearing up for the Lower Keys’ notorious 41st Annual Underwater Music Festival, which takes place on Saturday, July 12.
Festivities for the quirky underwater concert kick off on Friday, July 11, from 6 – 8 pm with an opening reception at Mote Marine (24244 Overseas Hwy, Summerland Key). Enjoy live music, nibble on lite bites, wet your whistle with a variety of tasty libations, and get a first-hand look at Mote’s outstanding efforts to restore our endangered reefs.
On Saturday, July 12, it’s time to wear your favorite costume, grab your fins, and hit the deck for a wild and wacky underwater concert you’ll never forget.
Staged by Keys radio WWUS 104.1 FM, the wave of music resonates from 10 am – 2 pm at Looe Key Reef, an area of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which is approximately six miles south of Big Pine Key. The station broadcasts its specially curated hit list underwater via Lubell Laboratory speakers suspended under boats positioned above the reef.
It’s a lot of fun, but on a more serious note, the concert also promotes preserving the Keys’ unique coral reef ecosystem by incorporating diver awareness an-nouncements that offer tips on ways to enjoy the reef while minimizing environmental impacts.
You can launch your boat from one of the public ramps and marinas in the area, or you can reserve space on boats run by Lower Keys dive operators who have their own onboard costume parties.
It truly is an underwater concert that will blow your fins off! Info: 305-872-2411; lowerkeyschamber.com.
