“We Seceded Where Others Failed!” 44th Annual Conch Republic Days Celebration

Key West celebrates its “independence” every April during Conch Republic Days, a crazy 10-day birthday party which begins this year on Friday, April 17 and runs through Sunday, April 26.

Now in its 44th year, the celebration commemorates the Keys’ infamous “Day of Secession” from the United States which occurred on April 23,1982 following a U.S. Border Patrol blockade of the Keys. Designed to ferret out smugglers, the blockade only served to derail the region’s emerging tourism-based economy and threatened the livelihood of Keys residents.

In protest, Key West staged a ceremonial secession, declared war on the mother country, surrendered 60 seconds later and then demanded one billion dollars in foreign aid. The publicity stunt may have been done in jest, but it worked.

The US Border Patrol suspended its controversial checkpoints and the “Conch Republic” was born. Today the Conch Republic continues to flourish with residents proudly flying Conch Republic flags, carrying Conch Republic passports and celebrating their eccentric spirit with a birthday party like no other.
This year’s celebration kicks off with an Opening Party and Conch Shell Blowing Contest at Schooner Wharf Bar on Friday, April 19 and continues with a slew of other fun happenings including a Tall Ship Sea Battle, Red Ribbon Bed Race down Duval St, a Pirates Ball & Pig Roast, Parade and a whole lot more.

For more info and a complete list of events call 305-304-2400 or hit up conchrepublicdayskeywest.com

Conch Republic 44th Independence Celebration Schedule
Friday, April 17 – Sunday, April 26

The Conch Republic was born on April 23, 1982, in response to a US Border Patrol Blockade of the Florida Keys. Since the US insisted on treating the Keys like a foreign country, Mayor Dennis Wardlow seceded from the Union. Today we stand proudly as a community that has a “Sovereign State of Mind” and who “seceded where others have failed.” More info at ConchRepublic.com.”

FRIDAY, APRIL 17

8 – 9:00 AM HIGGS BEACH CONCHY BEACH CLEANUP
Meet at Key West Bocce Court parking lot, 1801 White St.

10 – 11:30 AM LEGENDS OF KEY WEST & THE CONCH REPUBLIC
Old Town Walking Tour with Island Audio Tours. Tickets online!

4:30 – 5:30 PM OPENING CEREMONY & RAISING OF THE COLORS
Mallory Square, 400 Wall St.

7 PM KICK-OFF PARTY & CONCH SHELL BLOWING CONTEST
Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18

8 AM EARTH DAY 5K RUN
Register at Truman Waterfront Park, foot of Southard Street. Open to all ages—registration required to run.

10 am – 6 PM ART & CRAFT STREET FAIR
Duval St between Eaton & Greene

1 – 4 PM OLD TOWN CONCH CRAWL PUB STROLL
Includes drinks at 8 saloons and a Crawl Tee. Tickets are available online.

2 – 6 PM DRAG RACES ON DUVAL
Between Petronia & Angela St. Info: 305 747 0343

SUNDAY, APRIL 19

10 am – 2 PM KEY WEST ARTISAN MARKET
Special Earth Day Edition at Higgs Beach, 1801 White.

HIGH NOON COW KEY BRIDGE ZERO-K RUN
Registration begins at 10 am on the Key West side of Cow Key Bridge. Participants will gather at the designated area before the run starts.

5 – 7:30 PM JAZZ IN THE GARDENS
The Gardens Hotel D’Vine Wine Gallery, 526 Angela St.

6:30 – 9:30 PM CONCH DELIGHT DINNER UNDER THE STARS
at Grimal Grove, Big Pine Key

MONDAY, APRIL 20

1 – 4:20 PM 1ST ANNUAL 420 DUVAL ST SIP + STROLL
The Green House, 5 Old Town Dispensaries

6 – 8 PM CONCH REPUBLIC MILITARY MUSTER
American Legion, 803 Emma St

9 PM DRUNKEN SPELLING BEE
Mary Ellen’s Bar, 420 Appelrouth Lane

TUESDAY APRIL 21

11:30 AM – 2 PM AUTHORS & HISTORIANS BRUNCH SAIL
Aboard the Schooner When & If, 202 William St

6 – 9 PM SUNSET CONCH-TAIL PARTY
Sunset Pier, Zero DuvaL

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22

6 – 10 PM HOT HAVANA NIGHT DANCE PARTY & SILENT AUCTION
Kaya Island Eats, 618 Duval St.

THURSDAY, APRIL 23

2 – 7 PM TRUMAN WATERFRONT FARMER’S MARKET – CONCH REPUBLIC EDITION
Held at Truman Waterfront Park, located at the foot of Southard St.

4:30 – 5 PM 44TH INDEPENDENCE DAY CEREMONY
Festivities at Mallory Square

6 – 7:30 PM PRE -PARADE PARTY
Seaside Café at Mansion by the Sea, 1400 Duval St

8 – 9 PM WORLD’S LOOOOONGEST PARADE
on Duval St. Parade runs from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. Sign up online to participate. Mexico. Sign up for the form online.

9 PM SCHOONER WHARF PARADE AFTER-PARTY
Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St

FRIDAY, APRIL 24

8 – 9 AM MALLORY SQUARE CLEAN UP
400 Wall St

10 – 11:30 AM OLD TOWN WALKING TOUR: LEGENDS OF KEY WEST
Legends of Key West & the Conch Republic with Island Audio Tours. Tickets online

7 PM 43RD ANNUAL INDEPENDENCE NAVAL PARADE
Key West Harbor, alongside Mallory Square. Sign up online to join the parade.

7 PM THE GREAT SEA BATTLE OF THE CONCH REPUBLIC
Reenactment alongside and above Key West Harbor at Mallory Square, Sunset Pier at Ocean Key House Resort & Spa, and Opal Resort (Cash Bar)

8 PM GREAT SEA BATTLE SURRENDER CEREMONY & VICTORY PARTY
Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St, Historic Seaport

SATURDAY, APRIL 25

11 AM – 3 PM MOTE MARINE OCEAN FEST
Truman Waterfront Park, foot of Southard St

1 – 6 PM JULIE HANSEN MEMORIAL BED RACES
Cheer on your favorite team or enter your own float. 801 Duval (between Olivia & Southard.) Register online.

7 PM PIRATE BALL & COSTUME COMPETITION
at Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St, Historic Seaport

SUNDAY, APRIL 26TH

10 AM – 2 PM KEY WEST ARTISAN MARKET
Conch Republic Edition at Higgs Beach, 1801 White St

1 – 4 PM WRECKERS CUP RACE
Race to Sand Key aboard schooners, sloops, ketches, or catamarans Kicks off from Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 Williams St, Historic Seaport. Book passage online!