Key West Artisan Market Honors World AIDS Day with Special Event Sunday, December 1

​The Key West Artisan Market will host a World AIDS Day event on Sunday, December 1, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Clarence H. Higgs Memorial Beach. Guests are encouraged to “Rock the Red Ribbon Together” by wearing or picking up a complimentary red ribbon provided by volunteers from the Friends of the Memorial Board.
 
The day begins with a 9:00 AM ceremony at the Key West AIDS Memorial, organized by the Friends of the Key West AIDS Memorial to honor the lives lost to HIV/AIDS. The memorial, designed by Michael Ingram in 1997, features over 1,300 engraved names and is located at the Edward B. Knight Pier. The ceremony includes a reading of all names, remarks by featured speaker Dr. Raymond Rodriguez of Mt. Sinai Medical Center, and the presentation of an original poem by Key West Poet Laureate Flower Conroy, read by Andrea Wright.
 
Following the ceremony, the Tree of Hope will be on display at the Artisan Market. Visitors can make donations to support the Friends of the AIDS Memorial and receive commemorative items, including coins and ornaments. Attendees are also invited to add names of loved ones lost to HIV/AIDS to the Tree of Hope.
 
The Key West Artisan Market offers a vibrant array of experiences, including food and drink options such as Bloody Marys, mimosas, coffee, smoothies, and meals from local food trucks. Shoppers can explore fine crafts, art, and jewelry from talented Florida Keys artisans while enjoying live music. Visitors can also meet authors from the Key West Writers Guild and support the Key West Wildlife Center’s Raise the Roof Capital Campaign.
 
Conveniently located near the Higgs Beach Dog Park, West Martello Tower Botanical Gardens, and White Street Pier, the market invites attendees to reflect at the nearby AIDS Memorial and enjoy the scenic Atlantic Ocean views. The Key West Artisan Market is held select Sundays in season and offers free entry and parking. Attendees are encouraged to BYOB (bring their own reusable bags) or buy a souvenir bag from the info booth.
 
For more information about the event, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/866127518790226/  Key West AIDS Memorial, or register as a vendor at bit.ly/KWAMS12.
 
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