One of the many annual events in Key West centers around the birthday of literary magnate Ernest Hemingway("Papa"), who lived and wrote for many years in Key West. The 2008 events will be held July 17-20. One of the favorite parts of the Festival is the famous "Hemingway Look-Alike Contest", held each year at Sloppy Joe's, said to be Hemingway's favorite watering hole. Just immagine downtown Key West teeming with men from all over the country, all of whom are bearded-up and dressed to look just like Ernest Hemingway later in his life.
A long-time friend of mine, John Stubbings, whose RE/MAX office I was with while living on the Outer Banks, entered the Contest year after year, finally being selected as Papa of the year in 2004. Talk about a happy guy! Once a contestant has won (and they have to enter year after year to be considered as a winner), he joins past Papas in attending every year thereafter to participate as a Judge in the contest. Just this past July, John invited Terri and I to join him at the Cypress House B & B for cocktails prior to that evening's final round of the Contest. How very cool meeting and chatting with all the other Papas who were there. These guys are a real fraternity!
For a glimpse of Hemingway Days and the Contest, visit www.sloppyjoes.com.
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