The legacy of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway, who lived and wrote in Key West throughout the 1930s, is to be celebrated Tuesday through Sunday, July 20–25, during the island's 30th annual Hemingway Days.Festival standouts include a look-alike contest for Hemingway imitators, a leading American short story competition directed by Ernest's author granddaughter, a one-man play exploring Hemingway's adventures and a three-day marlin tournament recalling his passion for deep-sea angling. Fans of good writing can explore a roster of literary and theatrical events.
More than 125 burly, bearded contestants are expected to compete in the "Papa" Hemingway Look-Alike Contest at Sloppy Joe's Bar, 201 Duval Street, Key West. Preliminary rounds are set for Thursday and Friday evening (July 22 and 23), with finalists facing off on Saturday evening.
Sloppy Joe's also spotlights the bearded brotherhood in the annual "Running of the Bulls," a quirky take-off on Pamplona's famous run, outside the bar at 1pm Saturday (July 24).
Before the bull bash, at noon look-alikes will be on hand for "Photos with Papa." Afterwards, they plan to serve a birthday cake in a slightly belated celebration of Ernest's July 21 birthday.
Other festival fun includes Saturday's Hemingway Days Caribbean Street Fair on Duval Street and Saturday night's 5k sunset run through Old Town Key West.
Sunday's schedule features a sidewalk art show outside the legendary Green Parrot Bar and Sloppy Joe's Arm Wrestling Contest, an annual favorite.
Attendees also can view an exhibition of rare Hemingway memorabilia at the Key West Museum of Art & History, 281 Front St., and tour "Papa's" former Key West home, now the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, 907 Whitehead Street.
For more information about top events in Florida, take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Florida
Additional Hemingway Days details can be found at http://www.hemingwaydays.net