Celebrate Hemingway’s 125th birthday alongside hundreds of dudes who look like him.
Summer sweat glistens on the contestants ’ hilltop and prediction builds as the announcer drop the starting fleur-de-lis . The running of the bulls begins , as a sea of serviceman disport red berets , lily-white shirt , and silver beards charge shoulder to shoulder down Greene Street in business district Key West .
The scene is reminiscent of Spain , except the contestants are not actually running from anything . The only bovines here are made from old rummy barrels with wooden bull heads mounted on rack . Some objector ride atop , while others somewhat laboriously help tug and rip them along . It ’s not an factual bull trial , but a parade forHemingway Day , a celebration of one of Key West ’s most noted resident physician , author Ernest Hemingway , aka Papa .
“ Most of these bozo are no longer youthful , so it ’s not like they actually move , ” says Carol Shaughnessy , a longtime Key West resident who ’s been working with the festival since its origination . “ It ’s more like an amble with the bulls . But they do wear the Pamplona outfits and thousands of people gather on the street to ascertain and cheer up . ”
Dusty Rhodes (center) has competed in the look-a-like contest 12 times.|Photo by Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau
The run of the bull is just one highlighting in the six - day fete in Key West , which takes place every yr around the author ’s natal day . This yr ’s festival runs from July 16–21 , lionize what would have been Papa ’s 125th , admit a special birthday bash on the last twenty-four hours .
The consequence is perfectly in step with the town’seccentric reputation . Each year , 150 or so grown man garb up in Hemingway - inspired dress — guess safari khakis and wool fisherman sweaters — and catch the street of Key West , take hold down bar stools and competing in the with child Hemingway lookalike contest in the world .
“ It ’s been call a mantrap competition for paunchy older guy , but that really does n’t do it Department of Justice , ” says Shaughnessy .
Photo courtesy of Hemingway Days
It began in 1981 as a elbow room to lure summer tourists toSloppy Joe ’s bar , which was the author ’s favorite haunt when he go in Key West during the 1930s . Since then , the event has grown to become a major watcher sport , where K of people add up to cheer on jovial whiskered men vying for attention . The week also includes a Caribbean street fair , boat paddle board raceway , 5 K run , and marlin sportfishing tourney . For those who ’ve make out to actually celebrate his prose , there are literary version , an associated short tale competition , and a exceptional museum showing featuring rare memorabilia , including his blood - stained WWI ambulance driver ’s uniform .
“ It is such a good - gamey upshot , and a distillation of the best part of Key West living , ” say Shaughnessy . “ It makes people smile and it observe both Hemingway ’s literary control and the Key West lifestyle that he loved . He lived gravid , and life was an escapade to him . ”
During his time in Key West , and still today , Hemingway has been a controversial reference . He instigated legal profession brawls , refereed and competed in fisticuffs matches , stole the urinal at Sloppy Joe ’s , hunted Nazi uranium - boats with hand grenades ( did n’t chance any , fortuitously for him ) , and otherwise widely air out his quick - witted humour and super self . He went on to win both Nobel and Pulitzer Prizes , inspire generation of writers and adventurers , and help Key West become a haven for other literary image . His house - turn - museum and its many six - toed cats rest one of the town ’s most popular tourist attractions .
Photo by Rob Oneal
The week ’s apex is the lookalike contest at Sloppy Joe ’s on Thursday , Friday , and Saturday nights . There , the Wannabes ( objector ) have out all of their tricks trying to impress the Papas ( the judges , all previous success ) and swank their popularity with the audience .
“ They do n’t deter graft , ” say Kathy Rhodes , the spouse of a famous Wannabe discover Dusty Rhodes . “ So the Wannabes give out T - shirt to spectators with their name on them , and free drink cards to get mass to hold a sign and cheerfulness for them . ”
This year will be Dusty ’s 12th try for the jacket . With the signs and shouting section , “ it ’s very much like a political convention , ” he said . “ But the reason we do it is for the chumminess . ”
Some have competed for decades . For others , it ’s a once - in - a - lifetime shot . One twelvemonth a objector from Kazakhstan explain , through an representative , that it was his lifelong pipe dream to get into and his entire settlement upraise money to send him . He did n’t win , but at the remainder he held up a T - shirt sign by all of the hombre and said it would become a treasure of his res publica and be station in a museum .
“ I swear you ca n’t make this stuff up , ” say Shaughnessy . “ Seeing him on stage and make that something we opine is fun , but normal for Key West , had such deep meaning for him , that just took my heart . There is so much more meaning to this fete than , ‘ oh , I look like Hemingway . ’ ”
The fete is a bit debaucherous , it ’s lawful , but it also attracts literary fan and local anesthetic who desire to do something good for their hometown . All proceeds from the festival , around $ 125,000 each year , support local scholarship for student pursuing literary- and nursing - related degrees , plus other Key West charity . Whether you ’re a bookish Hemingway aficionado or prefer moonlighting as an illiterate rummy - guzzler , Hemingway Days , like Key West , welcomes you .
