MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE KEY LIME FEST

We have found the best key lime pie anywhere in -- where else? -- the Florida Keys. If you too are a key lime fanatic, get ready for the annual Key Lime Festival. Here are the details from this delicious press release:

"Fans of sweet Key lime pie can salute the Florida Keys' signature dessert and the tiny fruit that inspired it Thursday through Saturday, July 2-4, during the annual Key Lime Festival. Events include a Key lime pie-eating contest, a wacky talent show and samplings of Keys-distilled rum flavored with the tangy lime.

"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.


"The Key Lime Festival was conceived by Key West author and baker David Sloan, who penned The Key West Key Lime Pie Cookbook. Events begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 2, with a Key lime cooking class at Isle Cook Key West, 218 Whitehead St.

"Friday's highlights are to include the Key Lime Talent Show Piestravaganza set for 8 p.m. at the Green Parrot Bar, 601 Whitehead St., where people can step into the 'limelight' to display talents of all types. The show is free to watch.

"Those talented in culinary consumption can compete in the Mile-High Key Lime Pie Eatin' Contest set for 11 a.m. Saturday, July 4, inside Sloppy Joe's Bar at 201 Duval St. Ten contestants will each attempt to devour an entire pie, topped with mounds of whipped cream, faster than their competitors -- without using their hands.

"At 2 p.m. that afternoon, aspiring bakers can prove their pie-making prowess during the Key Lime Pie Championships at the Smokin' Tuna Saloon, 4 Charles St. Entrants can vie for blue ribbons in multiple divisions, while spectators can purchase tickets to taste the pies and cast People's Choice votes.

"Other festival events include the Key Lime Cocktail Sip & Stroll for libation lovers, a cookbook signing by Sloan and gatherings at the Key West First Legal Rum Distillery, where attendees can tour the boutique distillery and sample locally crafted Key lime rum." 


Festival information: www.keylimefestival.com