Conch Republic Celebrates Secession

With activities ranging from a �drag� race for female impersonators to a lighthearted sea battle featuring tall ships, the Conch Republic�s 10-day birthday party is set to take place Friday, April 22, through Sunday, May 1.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, April 24, divers and snorkelers visiting the Florida Keys can plunge into an underwater game of hide and seek during the 11th annual Underwater Easter Egg Hunt in the warm, clear waters off Key Largo. 

Showcasing the republic�s eccentric spirit, the 29th annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration commemorates the Florida Keys� secession from the United States following a 1982 U.S. Border Patrol blockade that virtually stopped traffic on the only road to the mainland.

In protest, local officials staged the secession. After proclaiming the Conch Republic, they declared war on the mother country, pelted federal agents with stale Cuban bread, surrendered after 60 seconds and demanded $1 billion in foreign aid. 

Today patriots throughout the Keys fly the royal blue flag of the republic, whose motto is �We Seceded Where Others Failed,� and celebrate the secession�s anniversary each year with a lively island-wide party. 

As well as the drag race and sea battle for sea dogs and wenches, festival highlights include the Conch Republic Red Ribbon Bed Race, a charity race of decorated beds down Duval Street. 

The schedule also includes a pirates� ball and pig roast, fiddlers� contest and jam of bluegrass and old-time music, Conch Crawl showcasing favorite watering holes, Conch Republic military reception aboard the World War II museum ship Mohawk and sailing race commemorating the Keys� historic shipwreck salvage tradition

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. 

For more information on the Conch Republic celebrations visit www.conchrepublic.com 

Mardi Gras in Fort Walton Beach

A little bit of New Orleans is coming to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, at its very own �Mardi Gras 2011� celebration on Saturday, February 12. Because it�s Valentine�s weekend, the theme this year will be �Love on the Island.� Sponsored by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and its annual sponsors, �Mardi Gras on the Island� is a full day of activities, starting with the Mardi Gras Parade on Okaloosa Island at 11am.

There will be beads, treats, and even more beads as the colorful floats make their way down Santa Rosa Blvd. Stick around after the parade and enjoy a festive Block Party sponsored by Helen Back on Amberjack Drive. There will be games for the kids, vendors with exotic items, and food galore.  It�s a family-friendly way to make a day of it!

Later that evening, the Chamber will host the Mardi Gras Ball at the Emerald Coast Conference Center from 8 pm to Midnight.  Come in costume or come in your favorite gown - this is the time to bring out your Mardi Gras finery, enjoy the sounds of the �Swingin� Dick Tracys,� and sample food items provided by Chamber-member restaurants.  

�Mardi Gras 2011 � Love on the Island� is sponsored by the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, A to Z Security and Sound, the City of Fort Walton Beach, Cox, Cumulus Broadcasting, Emerald Coast Tourism Development Council, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, Golden Corral-Fort Walton Beach, Helen Back, Image Printing and Digital Services, Northwest Florida Daily News, Qantum, ResortQuest, and White-Wilson Medical Center. 

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. 

For more information visit www.fwbchamber.com/mardigras. 

Palm Beach Events

Between its 38 cities, Palm Beach County offers an array of premier entertaining activities and events. Here are a few over the next few months.

The crown jewel of art fairs, the American International Fine Art Fair (AIFAF) is at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, West Palm Beach from February 5 to 13. Some 80 exhibitors from over 13 countries representing fine art � from classical antiquity to contemporary � return for the fair�s 15th year in The Palm Beaches.

Renowned international dealers present fine jewelry, art and antiques � showcasing premium examples in furniture, ceramics, artwork, jewels and watches from over 200 international exhibitors � are at the same venue for the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show from February 18 to 22.

The ArtiGras Fine Art Festival in Jupiter from February 19 to 21 has grown from a local art show to a nationally recognized fine arts festival.

Now in its 49th year, the Delray Affair in Delray Beach from April 15 to 17 is an affair to remember. It is held along Atlantic Avenue in the downtown area of Delray Beach, known as the Village by the Sea. South Florida�s oldest and largest outdoor festival, it is a street festival in every sense of the word.

And summer officially starts with SunFest in Downtown West Palm Beach (this year from April 27 to May 1) � the largest music and art festival in Florida, spotlighting just about every musical genre. Listen to tunes, sip cold drinks, and scope out the vistas around downtown West Palm Beach�s new waterfront.

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.

For more information on events in The Palm Beaches visit www.PalmBeachFl.com/events 

Tampa Bay � A Festival Destination

In Tampa Bay, any excuse to celebrate will do and locals break out the fireworks, parade floats and live entertainment for the city�s fantastic line-up of festivals.

The cool and breezy months of January through March draw the largest concentration of festivals. Right now, until January 22, Tampa Bay is celebrating its heart and soul and ethnic diversity at the Black Heritage Festival. There are events all over the Tampa Bay area.

The Gasparilla Children�s Parade and �Piratechnic� Extravaganza on January 22 is part of Tampa�s annual series of pirate-themed Gasparilla activities. This alcohol-free family event is held each year on the Saturday before the colorful Gasparilla Pirate Fest Invasion and Parade of Pirates.

The 106th annual Florida State Fair from February 10 to 21 will feature freebies with your paid admission.

The streets of Channel District and Ybor City come ablaze on February 12 for the Sant' Yago Night Parade; and Tampa's historical Ybor City showcases its ethnic roots with Fiesta Day on February 26.

From March 3 to 13 the Florida Strawberry Festival celebrates the bountiful harvest of the strawberry that has made Plant City, Florida, the �Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.�

Discover an enchanted realm of wizards and warriors amongst gourmet treats and entertainment every weekend from February 26 to April 17 (plus Friday March 11) at the Bay Area Renaissance Festival located at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI).

The annual Apollo Beach Manatee Arts Festival on March 11 and 12 is a major arts and crafts show that promotes the visual and performing arts as well as awareness and preservation of the endangered Florida manatee.

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.


For a comprehensive list of activities in and around the Bay area, visit Tampa Bay at www.VisitTampaBay.com

Winter Destination Getaway Idea for Boat Lovers and Aficionados

The 2011 Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail Miami, one of the world�s largest boat shows, returns from February 17 to 21 with exciting features for everyone, from experienced boaters and divers to families and anyone who ever dreamed of owning a boat.

There will be new attractions aimed at on-the-water fun, travel and hands-on education.

It will showcase thousands of the newest powerboats, sailboats, engines, electronics and marine accessories from more than 2,000 leading manufacturers from around the world. With new attractions including the Dive & Travel Harbor featuring the �Be a Diver� scuba pool, and the new Discover Boating Resource Center, a boating education experience offering free boat rides, on-the-water training courses, and daily seminars, the 2011 show is the ultimate destination to discover boating.

�There is no other boating event in the world that provides boaters with the opportunity to shop the best and biggest selection of boats and accessories. With thousands of products to choose from in one of the best boating destinations and dozens of activities the whole family can enjoy, the Miami International Boat Show is THE place to find out why life is better with a boat,� noted Cathy Rick-Joule, show manager.

In addition to the vast selection of boats and marine accessories for sale and hundreds of products making their world debuts, there is a wide array of attractions boaters of all ages can enjoy throughout the five-day event.

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.

For more information on the 2011 Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail Miami visit www.miamiboatshow.com/