FIRST KEY LIME FESTIVAL SET FOR THE KEYS

True confession: I am a longtime fan and advocate for the Key lime, as used in the pie and for me personally, iced tea. In fact, I wrote a blog post about it several years ago: In praise of the Key lime. Now comes word Key West is staging the first Key Lime Festival, set for July 4-6, which will include an attempt to bake the largest Key lime pie in history. 

Here's more from the release:

"The festival was conceived by Key West author and baker David Sloan, who penned The Ultimate Key Lime Pie Cookbook. It celebrates the popularity of the tart, creamy dessert so closely identified with the Florida Keys that almost every visitor samples it.

"Believed to have originated in Key West in the late 1800s, Key lime pie was designated Florida's official pie in 2006 by the state legislature. Its primary ingredients are condensed milk, egg yolks and the juice of the tiny yellow Key lime, with the creamy filling typically nestled in a graham cracker crust and topped with whipped cream or meringue.

"Festival highlights are to include an attempt by Sloan and three fellow chefs to set a Guinness World Record for baking the largest Key lime pie in history. They plan to debut their creation, expected to exceed 15 feet in diameter, during the Key Lime Piestravaganza Thursday, July 4, on Greene Street just off Duval Street.

"The Piestravaganza is to feature other attractions including the Mile-High Key Lime Pie Eating Contest at noon and an appearance by the festival's offbeat mascot, Key Lime Kirby.

"Sloan and company are to unveil "the world's largest Key lime pie" at 2 p.m., subsequently serving slices of their gigantic creation to attendees who donate $1 to the historic Key West Firehouse Museum.

"Aspiring bakers can prove their pie-making prowess at noon Friday, July 5, during the Key Lime Pie Championships at the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, 907 Whitehead St.

"Entrants can vie for blue ribbons in multiple divisions, with pies judged on criteria including appearance, flavor balance and originality. Spectators can purchase tickets to sample, savor and cast People's Choice votes.

"Other festival events include the Miss Key Lime U.S.A. Pageant, paired with comedy and performances, and the Lil' Miss Key Lime pageant for costumed kids ages 6-10. Festival information: www.keylimefestival.com." -- Gerry