Sunset festival, Key West

It is customary for first timers to Key West to get their picture taken with the parrot guy. Come on, he needs to make a living too. At least you Italins should return the favor. When he whent to the Coliseum,in Rome of course, he had his picture taken with the Roman Soldiers. Come on be a buddy. He is not asking for your life savings.

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Well if you are lucky we have been to Key West a few times and we did see the sunset a few times.

We seem to missed it most of the times for some reason, by being to late, cruiseships blocking the view or just clouds....

But with or without the sunshine it is nice to be here at Mallory Square around sunset. Street artists show their acts and souvenirs are being sold. The souvenirs varies hats made from coconut leaves, paintings, jewelery and so on.


Picture taken december 5, 2004

Besides drinking, the most well known local custom in Key West is, undoubtedly, sunset at Mallory Pier. You can actually tell when it is near to time for sunset, because the shops and bars along Duval begin to empty and you can see the people beginning to stroll toward the pier. Mallory Pier comes alive about an hour before sunset with street performers plying their trade. You will see jugglers, singers, psychics, animal acts, and various other street vendors all along the pier. But, for me, the most stirring moment is when everyone becomes quiet and two men dressed in Scottish kilts and Tam-O'Shanters play their bagpipes as the tropical sun sinks slowly into a calm, peaceful sea. That is the moment when another day in paradise comes to an official end, and it also signals the beginning of the nightlife partying all over the island.

The sunset celebration takes place every single night on Mallory Square. This is where everyone crawls out of the bars and their hotel rooms, and goes to the waterfront to enjoy street performers and spectacular views. After the sun sets, it's time to hit the bars once again!

Mallory Square..home of the Key West Museum of Art & history, Shipwreck Historeum, Shell Warehouse...and many others.

Lots of things to do for the "shopping" tourist and fun just to people watch.

The sunset festival I was told is quite the event, though unfortunately this trip I was unable to stay...next time.

To see the sunset at it's best, you need to be at Mallory Square, where hundreds of tourists gather every night to enjoy the view. Together with the marvellous spectacle, local performers, musicians, artists and artisans show what they have to offer. Show and entertaintment guaranteed!

People in Key West are the definition of laid back. They enjoy the sunsets and cocktails of each day that goes by it is very easy to be drawn in to that way of life.

BE FORWARNED...DO NOT GO TO THE FLORIDA KEYS..unless you have an extremely high tolerence for rum/tiki drinks, gentle breezes and almost breathtaking sunsets.Did i mention I LOVE Florida?';-)