Independence Celebration Apr 17-26
Key West, Florida Keys - 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 17, through Sunday, April 26.
Showcasing the republic’s eccentric spirit, the 27th 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 the
secession’s anniversary is marked by an annual 10-day party.
Highlights of the celebration include the Great Conch Republic Drag Race. The offbeat event takes place on Key West’s famed Duval Street and features participants decked out in startlingly big hair and staggeringly high heels.
Scheduled Saturday, April 18, the race is nothing like a NASCAR spectacular. Instead, competitors are exuberantly coiffed drag queens, dressed in everything from sequined gowns to sporty ruffled frocks, sprinting down Duval in high heels.
Hosted by the Bourbon Street Complex, the event is to begin at 1 p.m. when the “pits” along the 700 block of Duval open for public viewing. Racers proceed through time trials and elimination heats to the hard-fought finals — while trying to avoid crashes, broken nails and high-heel malfunctions.
Other festival favorites include the Conch Republic Naval Parade and Great Battle, a free-for-all that pits sea dogs, wenches and Conch Republic military might against the “evil federal forces.” Sponsored by the republic’s flagship schooner Wolf, the maritime mayhem is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, April 24, in the waters of Key West Harbor.
Weapons traditionally range from water cannons to flying Cuban bread and vegetables, making for lighthearted but messy combat. Spectators can view the fray from Bloody Battle Parties at harborfront resorts.
Following the battle, a 9 p.m. victory party is planned at the colorful Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St., to commemorate the preordained triumph of the Conch Republic military.Another festival highlight is to be staged Saturday, April 25: the Fairvilla Megastore Conch Republic Red Ribbon Bed Race.
In this wacky race for strange bedfellows, teams propel decorated beds down Duval Street from the intersection of Fleming Street to the Hog’s Breath Saloon, 400 Front St. Scheduled 2-5 p.m., the race raises money for Key West’s AIDS Help Inc., and is billed as “the most fun you can have in bed with your clothes on.”
Festival events also include the World’s Longest Parade, named because its sea-to-sea route down Duval Street proceeds from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico; a “fun in the sun” pool party; a volleyball challenge for sport–loving sorts; the annual pirates’ ball and pig roast; the Conch Crawl showcasing favorite watering holes and a sailing race commemorating the Keys’ historic wrecking tradition.
The celebration is scheduled to conclude with a stargazer cruise at
9 p.m. Sunday, April 26, aboard the Liberty Clipper. Passengers can
view the wonders of the night sky, including the Northern Cross and
Southern Cross, as the sailing vessel plies the waters of the Conch
Republic. For cruise reservations and prices, call 
(305) 292-0332
.
For more information and a festival schedule, visit www.conchrepublic.com or call (305) 294-2298. For lodging information in Key West, contact the Key West Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-LAST-KEY (800-527-8539), or visit the Florida Keys Key West Web site at www.fla-keys.com.
Article and photo from http://www.placesaroundflorida.com
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Dolphin-therapy
Island Dolphin Care, Inc. (IDC) is one of the most famous centres which is engaged in work with dolphins. It is a non-profit organisation, which was founded to help children with special needs.
Founded by Deena Hoagland, the centre is located in the small town of Key Largo, Florida. The idea of establishing such an organization was when her 3-year-old son Deeny - Joe had an accident, after which he suffered a stroke. After activities like swimming with the dolphins Joe regained his physical fitness , particularly, regaining the strength in the damaged left side of his body. After this incident, Deena thought, if the dolphins helped her son get well, why would it not help other children. That's how IDC was founded.
Since 1990, Deena, and a
group of professional therapists, have been working with children
requiring special care and treatment. Children with their families
from all over the world, come to take part in the classes. In cases
where traditional methods of treatment fail, dolphin-therapy proves
to be a very effective way to treat children with disabilities,
positive results can be seen after several weeks from the start of
treatment. In addition, dolphins provide a unique joy to children,
unconditional love and support are but a few of the qualities
children can receive. These lovely animals often improve
relationships with the children's parents, siblings, and therapists,
explained Anna Kolan- Zwolińska, psychologist from Poznan, who began
her adventure with the dolphins.
Activities
are not restricted only to water therapy with dolphins. The Centre
also offers to its clients, individual adjustment to activities,
depending on type and progression of the child's condition. The fact
that mostly children take part in this type of therapy does not mean
that adults can not take part. It is not unheard of for adults to
use the centre's services.
At
present Island Dolphin Care have 15 bottlenose dolphins, due to the
fact that this species is most open to contact with humans, this
helps with the harmony between, dolphin – therapist – child, it
also makes it much easier and more successful for all those involved.
For now only 4 of the 15 dolphins take part in water therapy. The
remainder are used in shows and research, because IDC also works with
Dolphin Plus – a research station where trainers and scientists
currently work. To meet expectations of people who want to help
disabled children, the centre offers work or the possibility to have
practice in this environment. Any person applying must fulfil certain
criteria, such as, be over 21 years of age, communicative level and
knowledge of the English language, experience in work with disabled
children, finished studies (preferred specialities: psychology,
pedagogy).
I feel that somebody really needs me and that gives huge motivation for my work. I am very happy, because in IDC I have found my path in life. Here I can realise my biggest dream – helping disabled children - Anna Kolan-Zwolińska added.
People interested in co-operation with IDC are welcome to visit: www.islanddolphincare.com
Source:
www.islanddolphincare.pl,
www.islanddolphincare.com,
http://turystyka.wp.pl/katn,2_0,lok,,wid,9992037,artykul.html?ticaid=17b0e
author: Kamila Barszcz
