Key West, Fla. — The color, pageantry and magic of the Summer Solstice will be commemorated June 1-20 at Key West’s waterfront Mallory Square, with a dynamic array of special events, live performances and artisan demonstrations backdropped by the world-renowned nightly Sunset Celebration.


The Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year and the official first day of summer, has possessed unique significance in many cultures since ancient times. Attendees at the “Summer Solstice Celebration” can participate in interactive experiences and sun-centered traditions — all leading up to a ceremony that honors the powerful June 20 occasion.


Presented by the Key West Cultural Preservation Society, organizer of the Mallory Square sunset gathering, the festival is a multifaceted tapestry of offerings and attractions that salute the power of the sun. Each evening’s roster of events will spotlight specific performers, artisans, food vendors and themed or guided activities, providing an ever-changing experience for visitors.


Attendees can take part in an age-old solstice tradition by making wishes and pinning them to an onsite “wish banner,” get inspired while observing sun-themed plein air painting sessions, open their spirits with tarot card readings, sway to the sounds of sun-centered music on the square beside Key West Harbor, and marvel at eclectic craft demonstrations and “dream projections” of digital artwork.


Event highlights are to include outrageous live shows by entertainers including “The Loud Mime” Will Flederman, appearing at the “Summer Solstice Celebration” following performances around the U.S.; four nights of music by students from Key West’s acclaimed Bahama Village Music Program, demonstrating their mastery of island-style steel pan and Junkanoo rhythms; and a rare collaborative act and demonstration by Jase Anderson and “Reidiculous” Reid Conklin, who grew up together honing their showmanship at Mallory Square.


Local marine wildlife is to take center stage as well, in an educational sea turtle presentation by experts from the Florida Keys’ famed Turtle Hospital — founded in 1986 as the world’s first state-licensed veterinary hospital for sea turtles.


Because the Summer Solstice honors the sun, it’s particularly fitting that festivities are set against the background of Key West’s Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square. In a tradition that dates back some 50 years, residents and visitors alike flock to the historic waterfront site each evening to enjoy entertainment by jugglers, acrobats and other buskers; browse vibrant artists’ and vendors’ wares; and applaud as the sun sinks below the horizon.


The “Summer Solstice Celebration” is presented in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. Visit sunsetcelebration.org for more information and schedule updates.

BIG PINE KEY, FL – Monroe County Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Lincoln has called for a special town hall meeting for property owners who live in the Sands Subdivision neighborhood on Big Pine Key. Monroe County has been studying flooding in the area and has designed an improvement project, known as the Sands Neighborhood Road Adaptation Resilience Project, to address a long-term solution to the amount of street flooding projected to increase over time because of sea-level rise.
 
County staff are preparing for the public meeting to be held in late July or early August to provide updates on the status of the $24 million project. The project is anticipated to be funded by a $12.2 million Resilient Florida grant, an $8.1 million Community Development Block Grant, and $3.7 million secured through borrowing dependent on infrastructure sales tax revenue. 
 
The Board of County Commissioners is working toward possible funding scenarios to create a program where those who benefit from the improvements contribute to the project's capital and operating and maintenance costs. Over the next several years, more than 42 neighborhoods are expected to experience significant sunny-day flood impacts. 
 
County staff are working to determine which properties in the Sands neighborhood will derive a special benefit from the stormwater management and roadway improvement project by having less road flooding, stormwater management, and maintaining access to their properties. An assessment to fund the operations and maintenance costs for the roadway improvement project is under consideration, as well as a potential assessment to fund a portion of the shortfall in capital funds.
 
"Identifying and explaining the benefit area ensures transparency and gives residents in the affected areas clarity on how they will directly benefit from the project and what potential assessments are under consideration,” said Lincoln. “We look forward to gaining community feedback later this summer when we can share more details from preliminary findings.”
 
The date, time, and location of the meeting will be announced when details are finalized.​

Tropic Cinema celebrates Monroe County Teachers on May 3rd by offering free admission to all its screenings for the day. Monroe County Teachers are a vital part of the Keys Community and Tropic would like to acknowledge their hard work and dedication. Teachers are invited to view a film of their choice on May 3rd with a valid Monroe County I.D.  For movies and showtimes visit Tropiccinema.com.
 
Tropic offers annual memberships that provide discounted or free admission to patrons year-round starting as low as $50 a year. For more information come to the Tropic Cinema box office or purchase a membership online at Tropiccinema.com/membership. Tropic also offers sponsorship opportunities if you own a business and would like to support the Tropic’s mission. Sponsorships are also available online at Tropiccinema.com under support us/sponsorships.

LONG KEY, FL – Monroe County Solid Waste will temporarily close the Long Key Transfer Station tipping floor from May 3-18 for essential safety repairs due to a structural issue requiring immediate attention.

During this period, no garbage disposal activity will be allowed on the tipping floor. However, the Long Key Transfer Station will continue to accept vegetation and yard waste, which is handled at a separate on-site location that does not use the tipping floor.

Signage has been posted at the Long Key Transfer Station, and local businesses who regularly utilize the site have been notified to use the Key Largo or Cudjoe Key transfer stations while the repairs are being made.

“While this temporary disruption poses challenges, the safety of staff and those who use the facility remains the top priority,” said Director of Solid Waste Cheryl Sullivan.

MONROE COUNTY, FL – Monroe County Planning & Environmental Resources Department needs your help to develop a Bus Stop Improvement Plan (BSIP). You can find information on the BSIP, a short survey, and an interactive bus stop map at monroecountybsip.com.
 
The data collected will be used to determine the feasibility of adding, relocating, removing, or consolidating bus stops along US 1 in the areas mentioned in the Transportation Master Plan, and improving existing stops with amenities that will enhance the safety and experience for transit riders, such as shelters, seating, lighting, bike racks, and/or driver notification push buttons.
 
The county is collecting data on the website through May 9.

Key West, FL – The Key West Artisan Market wraps up its 2023/2024 season with the Conch Republic Edition on Sunday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Indigenous Park across from Higgs Beach. This final show of the season coincides with the close of Conch Republic Days and celebrates the spirit, independence, and vibrant character that make Cayo Hueso one of a kind.
 
Guests can explore over 80 local vendors, artists, and growers offering everything from fresh seafood, cheeses, breads, and Florida produce to fine crafts, original art, and jewelry handcrafted in the Florida Keys. Refreshments include Bloody Marys, mimosas, a full bar by Great Events Catering, coffee, fresh juices, and smoothies. Food trucks and stalls offer both dine-in and take-away options.
 
The market is pet-friendly and surrounded by unique local attractions including the Higgs Beach Dog Park, West Martello Tower botanical garden, White Street Pier, and of course, the Atlantic Ocean just steps away. Admission and parking are free. Guests are encouraged to bring reusable bags.
 
Although this is the last regular market of the season, several summer pop-up markets are planned, each with a special theme:

• Mother’s Day Edition – Sunday, May 11
• Father’s Day Edition – Sunday, June 15
• Red, White & Blue Edition – Saturday, July 6
• Lobster Best Edition – Sunday, August 10

All summer pop-ups will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Clarence H. Higgs Memorial Beach.
 
In the meantime, locals and visitors can continue to shop fresh and local every week at the sister market, the Truman Waterfront Farmers Market, held Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. year-round at Truman Waterfront Park.
 
For vendor inquiries or more information, contact Sean at 305.731.5780 or visit the Key West Artisan Market Facebook page.

KEY WEST, Fla. – APRIL 21, 2025 – As part of a continuing investment in technology, Lower Keys Medical Center has enhanced its surgical capabilities with an upgraded surgical visualization platform. The camera tower allows surgeons performing minimally-invasive surgeries to more clearly see the procedure area. As the surgeon guides the instruments, the camera brightens and magnifies the movements. A versatile design makes the technology useful in a variety of procedures, including:
​
General surgery: Fluorescence imaging – the use of fluorescent molecules to see biological structures – aids in procedures such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy, colorectal surgery, and general procedures by illuminating the area allowing visualization of blood flow and critical structures intraoperatively. This shortens the length of a procedure, decreases conversions to open procedures, and shortens hospitalizations.

Orthopedic surgery: In arthroscopic shoulder or knee surgery, the camera features a range of brightness and contrast, providing more details in shadows and highlighting small cavities and dark areas.

Ear, nose and throat surgery: With improved lighting and the ability to display more than 60 times more colors, the camera helps surgeons navigate through small cavities and improves visualization of color variation in tissues and structures.

Urological surgery: A cystoscope uses the camera and light to visualize the bladder and urethra.
Phyllis Stout, RN, Director of Surgical Services at Lower Keys Medical Center said, “We are pleased to be able to offer this next level technology that aids our skilled surgeons in delivering quality care for our patients.”

About Lower Keys Medical Center
Lower Keys Medical Center is an acute care community hospital offering 24 hour emergency department services. Accreditations include The Joint Commission Acute Care Hospital Program and Primary Stroke Center, and American College of Cardiology Chest Pain Center.