In a joint effort between Mayor Danise “DeeDee” Henriquez’s Keep Key West Beautiful Committee, the City Commission, and the Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce, three local businesses are honored with the Business Pride Award for the month of June. Blue Marlin Jewelry the Key West Collective Gallery, and Sea, Key West are all located in the 700 block of Caroline Street.

“These businesses are housed within one of the most beautifully maintained historic commercial buildings in downtown Key West,” said Commission Liaison Dorian Patton. “The property stands as an outstanding example of historic preservation, showcasing the architectural character and island charm that make our community so distinctive. From the carefully maintained exterior to the attention given to every detail of the storefronts, the building serves as a source of pride for the surrounding neighborhood and a welcoming landmark for residents and visitors alike.”

Equally impressive, noted Patton, is the outstanding customer service provided by the owners and staff.

“Visitors are greeted by knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive team members who embody the warm hospitality for which Key West is known,” he said. 
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The Keep Key West Beautiful Business Pride Award program honors businesses that demonstrate exceptional pride in the appearance of their properties, provide outstanding customer experiences, and contribute positively to the overall beauty and vitality of our community. Throughout the year, businesses are recognized for maintaining clean, welcoming, and professional environments that reflect the unique spirit and charm of Key West.

Key West, Fla. —Marvels and mystery permeated the atmosphere during the June 8, 2026, kickoff of the second annual “Summer Solstice Celebration” in Key West. A 14-day festival held in conjunction with the island’s famous nightly sunset tradition at Mallory Square, 420 Wall St., the event features a series of special happenings and experiences that will culminate on the June 21 Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year and the official first day of summer.

Highlights include live shows by acrobats and illusionists, including “Reidiculous Reid” Conklin, “Juggling Jase” Anderson, Dr. Juice, and Blue, creative demonstrations and wares by local artists and artisans; island-style music; and solstice-inspired activities such as setting intentions and tying ribbons on a “wish banner,” festive flower-crown making and illuminating tarot card readings.

Attendees can also enjoy a variety of food and beverages from onsite vendors, along with presentations and appearances by local groups and organizations such as the Key West Woman’s Club, the KWPD, Old Island Restoration Foundation, the Conch Republic Marine Army, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and others.
The Summer Solstice Celebration culminates on Sunday, June 21, with jugglers, acrobats, and illusionists, conch-horn blowing, interactive fun, and a ticketed World Food Experience option featuring sample-sized foods from a variety of Key West restaurants and chefs. 

Key West's Sunset Celebration is a living piece of cultural history that has unfolded nearly every evening at Mallory Square for some five decades, offering a one-of-a-kind waterfront stage for street performers and a showcase for local creatives. The Summer Solstice Celebration enhances this iconic tradition with 14 days of special programming and enchantments.

Produced by the Key West Cultural Preservation Society, organizer of the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration, the festival is presented in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and sponsored by the Key West Sunrise Rotary Club, Four Seasons Rentals, Mt. Sinai Medical Center and Publix. 
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Visit sunsetcelebration.org/solstice for more information.

KEY WEST, FL — The Studios of Key West recently recognized eight outstanding young writers during the 2026 Robert Frost Poetry Contest for Kids & Teens, celebrating creativity, imagination, and literary achievement among students throughout Monroe County.
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This year's contest received more than 240 submissions from young poets across the Florida Keys, including 151 entries in the Kids Division and 95 entries in the Teen Division. From those submissions, twelve poets were selected for awards by judges Flower Conroy, former Key West Poet Laureate, and artist and writer Kalo Clarke.

The contest is administered annually by The Studios of Key West through the generosity of the Jeane and Jessie Porter Fund at the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys. The program encourages young writers to explore poetry while honoring the legacy of longtime supporters of education, literature, and youth throughout the island chain.

2026 award recipients included:

Kids Division

• First Place: Kash Neighbors, age 12
• Second Place: Cosette Curtis-Pape, age 10
• Third Place: Emmy Mitova, age 7
• Honorable Mentions: Henry Schnapp, age 12; Darel Brenes Perez, age 8; Serenity Magee, age 10

Teen Division

• First Place: Taylor Thomason, age 15
• Second Place: Molly McKnight, age 18
• Third Place: Jackson Mitchell, age 16
• Honorable Mentions: Hanalei Laitila, age 13; Ismael Moreno, age 13; Rachel Stewart, age 17

"The creativity, vulnerability, humor, and imagination found in these poems was truly inspiring," said Michelle Boscamp, Associate Director of Marketing & Advancement at The Studios of Key West. "Every student who submitted work demonstrated courage by sharing their voice, and we're proud to celebrate the next generation of writers in our community."

The awards ceremony was held at The Studios of Key West and included readings by several of the winning poets, followed by a reception for students, families, teachers, and supporters.

Photo Caption: Winners and honorees of the 2026 Robert Frost Poetry Contest for Kids & Teens gather at Hugh's View rooftop following the awards ceremony at The Studios of Key West. By Mark Hedden.

For more information about youth programs at The Studios of Key West, visit The Studios or contact Michelle Boscamp at [email protected] or 305-509-7903.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Emergency Management will accept applications for its Business Early Reentry Program through June 22. Established in 2017 after Hurricane Irma, the program is formerly known as the Business Placard Early Reentry Program. The program allows qualifying essential businesses and nonprofits based in Monroe County to gain timely access to the Florida Keys following a hurricane to help restore critical services and community lifelines.

Businesses interested in participating should review program requirements and apply at www.monroecountyem.com/placardprogram before 5 p.m. on June 22. No late applications will be accepted. If you already applied for the 2026 season, you do not need to apply again.

A significant change for 2026 is the transition from physical placards to secure digital credentials. Instead of a hard placard for a vehicle windshield, approved applicants will receive a unique QR code via email from the organization head when the county reopens for first responders and critical services. The QR code will serve as the business's official early reentry credential and can be printed or presented on a mobile device. Once the unique QR code is used, it will be invalidated.

"The move to digital credentials makes the program more efficient and secure," said Emergency Management Director Cory Schwisow. "It saves taxpayer dollars, improves accountability, reduces the risk of counterfeiting, and allows us to better manage and verify authorized reentry personnel following a storm."

The new system is expected to save Monroe County more than $4,000 annually in printing and administrative costs while providing a more reliable method for tracking authorized users.

Applicants should not apply until they have reviewed all requirements and gathered the necessary documentation found on the website. Applications will be reviewed and responded to within 21 working days.

Each registered business is allowed to bring in only its essential personnel; the program does not include friends or family members of those workers. Entering Monroe County under a State of Emergency using an early reentry credential grants access to an area that may not yet be deemed safe. Basic life-support resources may be unavailable after a major storm, and those entering early must be self-sufficient for up to 14 days for shelter, food, water, and other necessities. The focus of the program is not on gaining early access but on assisting first responders and helping the community recover more quickly.

Residents (not businesses) who wish to enter early can volunteer with Volunteer Monroe. Hurricane recovery courses are required for residents to receive the credential. Learn more at www.monroecountyem.com/volunteer.

When safe to return, reentry windshield stickers will work for residents and homeowners.  Reentry stickers can be picked up at Monroe County Tax Collector offices throughout the Florida Keys with proof of residency and vehicle registration. For more information and locations, visit www.monroecountyem.com/reentrystickers. While reentry stickers help process vehicles faster, a reentry sticker is not required to return to the Florida Keys after a disaster. Proof of residency will allow you to reenter the Keys through the checkpoint.

Hurricane season is underway. Now is the time to review your emergency plans, build disaster supply kits, and ensure your family or business is prepared before a storm threatens the Florida Keys. Learn more at www.monroecountyem.com.

Key West, FL—On Saturday, July 4, devotees of pie and Florida’s most sensational citrus are invited to the sun-kissed sands of the Southernmost Beach Café, 1405 Duval Street, where the 2026 World Famous Key Lime Pie Eating Championship returns to take center stage in sweet tropical style.

Each year, up to 25 fearless competitors sign up for the thrill of diving face-first into an equal number of whipped-cream crowned Key Lime pies, battling both the clock and one another—no hands allowed. Since its 2013 launch, this magnificently messy, tongue-in-cheek twist on New York’s classic Fourth of July hotdog-eating contest has become one of the holiday’s most beloved traditions.

Tom Luciano of Venice, Fla., was last year’s victor, devouring his pie in 2 minutes, 46:49 seconds. Yet the record to beat remains an astonishing 40:57 seconds, set in 2018 by attorney Trey Bergman of Houston, TX, who also captured the title in 2017 with a time of 51:92 seconds. Local Key West contenders have enjoyed their own sweet taste of victory over the years: Chris Shultz in 2022 (74 seconds), David Johnson in 2019 (58.2 seconds), Steve Carr in 2015 (78 seconds), Tony Mantia in 2014 (time not recorded), and Gary Delos Santos in 2013 (time not recorded).
                                        
“There’s no eating competition anywhere else in the world as citrus-charged and sloppy as this one,” commented Nadene Grossman Orr, Key Lime Festival Director/CEO of We’ve Got the Keys. We’re immensely proud to be the purveyors of this Southernmost celebration of competitive pie consumption.”

The Florida Legislature declared Key Lime pies the official state pie twenty years ago, in 2006. Traditionally, the treats are made with condensed milk, egg yolks and the juice of Key limes within a graham cracker crust and topped with whipped cream or meringue. Competition pies will measure 9 inches (23-centimeters) in diameter, and while contestants may not use utensils or their hands, goggles and dive masks are acceptable tools for facing into the frothy confection.

The World Famous Key Lime Pie Eating Championship at the Southernmost Beach Café kicks off at 1:30pm but the attractions begin at 10:00am with the opening of the Key Lime Vendor Village, and music, games and activities starting at 10:30am.

The World Famous Key Lime Pie Eating Championship is the centerpiece event of the Key Lime Festival, a five-day celebration of Florida’s most sensational citrus, which runs from July 1-July 5. Other zestivities feature a fabulous kick-off party on Duval Street, a spirited Key Lime Pie Hop, an Ultimate Key Lime Smash Party, a 5-Alarm Pie Challenge at the Alex Vega Key West Firehouse Museum, plus plenty of delectable culinary experiences, pool parties and only-in-Key West competitions.

The Festival’s organizers regret that the popular Key Lime Pie Drop at the Key West Lighthouse won’t take place this year, but have vowed to have it back on the menu in 2027, with all the ZEST its fans expect.
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Presented in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and We’ve Got the Keys, admission to the competition is free, cost to compete is $30 with online pre-registration, $50 day-of, and is open to those aged 18 and up. For registration links and a full calendar of events, visit http://www.keylimefestival.com.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County’s Artificial Reefs Program is preparing for several upcoming reef material deployments on the gulfside of the Lower Florida Keys. These sites enhance marine habitats, create new recreational diving and fishing opportunities, provide waypoints for marine migration, and help relieve pressure on natural coral reefs. The deployments will include a variety of concrete modular structures.

The following deployment location is currently scheduled:
• Gulfside 5 Mile Reef – June 9, 2026
Latitude: 24.79793 N
Longitude: -81.69104 W

Additional deployments are planned at the following locations, with dates to be determined:

• Gulfside 8 Mile Reef
  Latitude: 24.904 N
  Longitude: -81.556 W

• Gulfside 9 Mile Reef
  Latitude: 24.899 N
  Longitude: -81.606 W

Members of the public are welcome to observe deployments from private vessels, provided they maintain a minimum distance of 500 feet from deployment operations. For safety reasons, no one may enter the water within the permitted site during active deployments.

All published locations and dates are subject to change based on weather and sea conditions, contractor availability, or county scheduling needs. Last-minute changes may not be reflected immediately online. Anyone wishing to confirm deployment schedules before traveling to a site should text 786-847-5443 for the most current information.

Monroe County’s Artificial Reefs Program is state-funded and provides valuable habitat for marine life while supporting the region’s world-renowned fishing and diving industries. To learn more about the program, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/reefs.

Key West, FL — The Truman Waterfront Community Garage Sale: Junk in the Trunk returns for two final dates before taking a summer break: Saturday, June 6 and Saturday, June 20 from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Truman Waterfront Park.

Since launching earlier this year, the community garage sale has become a popular gathering place for bargain hunters, collectors, and residents looking to turn unwanted items into cash. From household goods and vintage finds to collectibles, décor, tools, and unexpected treasures, every market offers a different mix of discoveries and deals.

Designed as a simple alternative to hosting a garage sale at home, Junk in the Trunk allows residents to sell directly from their vehicles in a relaxed waterfront setting. Sellers can register in advance to save on fees or simply show up the morning of the event and be placed as space allows.

Shoppers are encouraged to come early, grab a beverage, browse the trunks, and enjoy a Saturday morning treasure hunt along the Quay at Truman Waterfront Park. The event brings together local residents, vendors, nonprofits, and visitors in a fun, informal atmosphere where one person's clutter quickly becomes another person's treasure.

With summer temperatures approaching and many seasonal residents heading north, these June dates will be the final Junk in the Trunk markets until the fall. The market is expected to return in October with a special Community Costume Swap Edition designed to help locals prepare for Fantasy Fest. Residents are encouraged to start digging out costumes, accessories, props, wigs, masks, and decorations that may be tucked away in closets and storage bins. The themed market will provide an opportunity to buy, sell, swap, and repurpose Fantasy Fest gear, giving old costumes a second life while helping inspire new creations for one of Key West's most beloved annual traditions.

Whether you're looking to clear out a closet, find a hidden gem, furnish a home, or simply enjoy a waterfront morning with neighbors, the Truman Waterfront Community Garage Sale offers a fun and affordable way to spend a Saturday in Key West.

Free parking is available with a residential sticker.
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For more information or to pre-register as a seller, visit https://bit.ly/garagesalekeywest or contact Sam Snodgrass at 573-694-9240.

KEY WEST, FL, June 2, 2026— CFK Academy, the A-rated public charter high school of The College of the Florida Keys (CFK), held its Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony on May 28 at the Tennessee Williams Theatre on CFK’s Key West Campus. The ceremony honored two exceptional graduates: Jarrett Miller and Emily Nolasco-Ferrufino.

Jarrett Miller distinguished himself through his contributions to the school’s journalism department, nearly 100 hours of work experience in the local hospitality industry, and community service ranging from beach clean-ups to correspondence with overseas military personnel. The recipient of the Hemingway Look-Alike Society Kermit “Shine” Forbes Scholarship, Miller will enter the Welding program at CFK this fall.

Emily Nolasco-Ferrufino graduates a year early after earning her Associate in Arts degree at age 17 while maintaining the Principal’s List, leading the school’s Interact Club as president, competing in wrestling, and participating in an international studies program across Europe. A first-generation, bilingual college student, she is the recipient of the Key West Women’s Club scholarship and the Take Stock in Children scholarship, which will cover her tuition, housing, and books as she pursues a Psychology degree at Florida International University with the goal of earning a Doctorate in Forensic Psychology.

“These graduates have shown us what’s possible when determination meets opportunity,” said Dr. Ja-Ronika Veldheer, Principal of CFK Academy and CFK Vice President of Secondary Education. “We couldn’t be prouder of Jarrett and Emily and we can’t wait to see where their journeys take them.”

The ceremony was attended by CFK President and CEO Dr. Jonathan Gueverra, Monroe County School District Superintendent Ed Tierney, School Board Member Yvette Mira-Talbott, and other College and district leaders.
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CFK Academy serves students in Monroe County as a tuition-free public charter high school offering a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum with dual enrollment opportunities at The College of the Florida Keys.
For more information about CFK Academy, visit: https://www.cfk.edu/cfkacademy/

MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners has proclaimed June 2026 as Automotive Service Professionals Month, recognizing the dedicated employees in Fleet Management whose work keeps county vehicles and equipment operating safely and reliably.

Fleet Management technicians and staff maintain more than 900 vehicles and pieces of equipment used for essential services, including more than 300 Monroe County Sheriff’s Office vehicles and approximately 70 generators.

“Whether responding to emergencies, maintaining infrastructure, or providing services across our island chain, county employees rely on safe and reliable vehicles and equipment,” said Mayor Michelle Lincoln. “Fleet Management works behind the scenes every day to keep those vehicles on the road and ready when needed.”