Florida Tourism

Looe Key, Florida Keys - “Reefpublicans” and “Democrabs” are to congregate in the Lower Florida Keys Saturday, July 12, when the 24th annual Underwater Music Festival puts an undersea spin on the upcoming 2008 presidential elections.

The quirky underwater concert takes place at Looe Key Reef, an area of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary located approximately six miles south of Big Pine Key. Each year, the subsea songfest draws as many as 600 divers and snorkelers to explore the colorful diversity of marine life that characterizes North America’s only living coral barrier reef.

The 2008 festival is to salute November’s “eel-ections” with underwater appearances by divers costumed as “Barackuda Obama,” “Hillary Clintuna” and “John McClam” among other political notables.

Set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the marine musical event is staged by Keys radio station WWUS 104.1 FM, locally called U.S. 1. Music is broadcast underwater via Lubell Laboratory speakers suspended beneath boats positioned at the reef, and the playlist typically ranges from humpback whale songs to marine-themed ditties such as the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” and Jimmy Buffett’s “A Pirate Looks at 40.”

“We also feature the work of local Keys musicians, who often have a unique vision of life in the Keys and on the water,” said event founder and organizer Bill Becker of U.S. 1. “This year, of course, we’re planning to add contemporary musical spoofs of the political process.”

Participants might even catch the scuba-diving “presidential hopefuls” tooting their own horns — pretending to play underwater musical instruments like a trom-bonefish and sax-eel-phone sculpted by Florida Keys artist August Powers.

While election “afishionados” are encouraged to enjoy the bipartisan party at Looe Key Reef, the concert also has a serious focus: promoting preservation of the Florida Keys’ unique coral reef ecosystem. The musical broadcast incorporates diver awareness announcements, prepared by Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary officials, offering tips on how people can enjoy the ocean while minimizing their impact on the reef and overall marine environment.

Divers and snorkelers eager to participate in the 2008 Underwater Music Festival can reserve space aboard boats run by Lower Keys dive operators. Visitors and residents with their own boats can launch from public ramps and marinas throughout the area.

For information about dive charters and accommodations in the Lower Florida Keys, contact the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce at (800) 872-3722 or (305) 872-2411, or visit the Florida Keys Web site at www.fla-keys.com or the chamber’s Web site at www.lowerkeyschamber.com.

Key West, Florida Keys — Revelers in Cuban dress are scheduled to conga from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico Friday night, May 23, to kick off Key West’s ninth annual Cuban American Heritage Festival. The festivities are to continue through Sunday, May 25, with events celebrating the island city’s rich and colorful Cuban heritage.

Led by Comparsa Key West, the festival’s official dance troupe, the conga line is to step off at 8 p.m. and proceed down mile-long Duval Street from the ocean to the gulf. Members of the public are invited to put on their dancing shoes, grab their tambourines and join the fun.

Located just 90 miles from Cuba, Key West was the site of nearly 150 cigar factories in the mid to late 1800s, when the island city welcomed thousands of Cuban immigrants seeking greater personal and political freedom. Tickets are $50 per person, and seating is limited but there are plenty of things to do in Key West so don’t wait. For reservations, call (305) 295-9665. The family-oriented Cuban American Heritage Festival showcases the vibrant culture and customs these individuals brought with them to Key West.

Midway along the procession’s route, dancers and revelers are to pass the historic San Carlos Institute, where Jose Marti launched his 1892 drive for his homeland’s independence.

Conga celebrants are to proceed to El Meson de Pepe, 410 Wall St. at Mallory Square, for a lively Latin dance party. The gala is to begin at 9:30 p.m. and feature the rhythms of the popular band Caribe. Admission is free.

Saturday, May 24, El Meson is to be the site of a cigar dinner and silent auction that celebrate Key West’s cigar-making legacy. Presented by the Fuente Newman Cigar Co. and starting at 7 p.m., the night is to include a full dinner, wine and a selection of fine cigars.

The cost of this quintessential Cuban-style evening is $75 per person. For reservations, call Jose Diaz at (305) 360-0738.

Sunday morning is to bring a fun-filled party for children and families. The Fiesta de Niños is to be staged at the White Street Pier overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at White Street and Atlantic Boulevard. Scheduled activities include an old-fashioned children’s fishing tournament and a traditional domino tournament for kids, grandparents and attendees of all ages. Admission is free.

If the fiesta sparks an appetite for Latin cuisine, “A Taste of Havana” should satisfy it. Starting at 7 p.m. Sunday, diners can enjoy a progressive dinner featuring outstanding food from Key West’s leading Latin restaurants. Participants will be whisked from place to place by trolley during the unique progressive dinner.

For more information about the Cuban American Heritage Festival, visit www.cubanfest.com or call (305) 295-9665.

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.