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.

ENTER TO WIN A PRIVATE JIMMY BUFFETT CONCERT

Attention all fans of singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. Here's some news you don't want to miss:

"Fans of singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett can vie to attend a free private concert in Key West, the island widely credited with inspiring his signature sound, by submitting their 'dream set list' for the April 1 show.

"Tickets are not available for purchase, but instead 100 pairs are to be given away to entrants of the set list contest at www.margaritaville.tv. In addition, one lucky fan is to win an all-expense-paid trip for two to Key West to attend the exclusive show.

"Buffett is to perform the 27 songs that earn the most votes during the concert at Key West's historic San Carlos Institute, where he and his Coral Reefer Band played in the 1970s."

Here's more from the press release:

"The internationally acclaimed entertainer lived and wrote in Key West during some of his most productive years, and the island is believed to be the inspiration for tunes including his smash hit Margaritaville.

"As well as peppering his song lyrics with frequent Key West references, Buffett established his first Margaritaville Store and Margaritaville Café on the island. He also maintains a recording studio overlooking the former shrimp docks.

"Contest entries will be accepted through March 2, 2015. Winners are to be selected in a random drawing and notified by email."

KEYS HOSTING CONCH SHELL BLOWING CONTEST

Things are never dull in the Florida Keys, where they find something to celebrate just about every day. And who can blame them, living in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Here's news about an event coming in March -- the 53rd annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest.

"KEY WEST, Florida Keys -- While other locales might be famous for jazz or blues, Key West is home to its own musical art form: conch shell blowing. Aspiring "musicians" can test their skill on the shell beginning at noon Saturday, March 7, during the 53rd annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest in the garden of the Oldest House Museum, 322 Duval St.

"Key West's connection with the hardy sea mollusk goes far beyond instrumental uses of its fluted pink-lined shell. Native-born residents refer to themselves as conchs, conch chowder and conch fritters are traditional island dishes, and the two-story gingerbread-bedecked wooden houses in the historic Old Town district are called conch houses.

"In 1982 the Florida Keys and Key West proclaimed themselves the Conch Republic, and the shell remains an enduring symbol of the island chain.

WIN A TRIP TO THE FLORIDA KEYS

How about a free trip to the Keys? If that gets your interest, here are the details:

"Through mid-June, mobile users can text the word KEYSFUN to 65047 and register to win a five-night trip for two to the Florida Keys to enjoy the islands' above- and below-water activities. Travel dates are July 9-14, 2014.

"The winner and a guest can experience both Key Largo and the Lower Keys regions as well as participate in the quirky Underwater Music Festival. The 30th annual festival is to be staged Saturday, July 12, at Looe Key Reef, an area of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary 6 miles south of Big Pine Key.

"The prize includes an air travel card valued at $1,000 (redeemable on the traveler's airline of choice), a $300 car rental certificate, two nights' accommodations in an ocean-view suite at Key Largo's Ocean Pointe Suites, three nights at Little Torch Key's Dolphin Marina & Cottages, diving/snorkeling trips, guided backcountry kayak and botanic garden tours, a sunset cruise and much more.

"One entry per person is allowed and the deadline to enter is 11:59 p.m. Thursday, June 12, 2014. Mobile device users without a text-message plan can visit www.FloridaKeysWin.com. Prize value is approximately $3,400. Entrants must be at least 21 years of age and reside in the continental United States."

'WOOFSTOCK MUSIC FAIR' SET FOR MARCH

Here's news for dog lovers (that would be us) from our friends in the Florida Keys:

"The Woofstock Music Fair, a day of peace, paws and music, awaits dog lovers eager to unite to raise pet population awareness and adopt rescues to 'fur-ever' homes. The annual event is set for Saturday, March 22, at Islamorada's Founders Park, mile marker 87.

"Now in its fifth year, the free-admission festival features a variety of agility competitions, including the MaddMac Lure course race and demonstrations by Ultimate Air Dogs, one of the premier dock jumping organizations in the country.

FLORIDA KEYS HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

The holidays are upon us, and towns up and down the Florida Keys are gearing up with a whole slate of festivities. Check out this lineup:

Now through Sunday, Dec. 22
Holiday Photos with a Dolphin at Dolphin Research Center (Marathon)
At Dolphin Research Center, mile marker (MM) 59 bayside on Grassy Key, visitors who participate in the Meet the Dolphin program also can pose with the dolphins for a holiday photo. Visitors can bring their holiday-themed props to pose with, and DRC's experienced photographers will shoot the pictures using high-resolution digital cameras. The program is offered several times each day on a walk-in basis and costs $25 per person in addition to general admission prices. The photos are supplied on a flash drive for $20 for one person or $35 for multiple people in the same shot. Group size is limited to four people. Contact: 305-289-1121 or www.dolphins.org

FLORIDA KEYS LIGHTED BOAT PARADES

Nothing says Christmas in Florida like a lighted boat parade. For those who want to mark their calendars early, here's a roundup of boat parades in the Florida Keys:

Credit: Key Colony website

Sunday, Dec. 8, 6 p.m. (sunset)
Key Colony Beach Lighted Boat Parade (Marathon Area)
Spectators can applaud vividly lit boats in the Middle Keys at the Key Colony Beach Boat Parade. Open to all boats, the parade is set to start at the 7th Street canal and wind its way through canals on the west side of the city, ending in the canal between 11th and 12th streets. The best viewing spots include the Sadowski Causeway at mile marker (MM) 53.5 and the dock area behind city hall and the post office. An after-party with awards for captains and crews is to be held at Key Colony Inn, 700 E. Ocean Drive, with a free buffet and cash bar. Contact: 305-743-7214 or www.kcbca.org/kcbca-events/holiday-lighted-boat-parade/

Saturday, Dec. 14, 6 p.m.
Boot Key Harbor Boat Parade (Marathon)
At this Middle Keys holiday event, dinghies, mega-yachts and vessels in between are to cruise the harbor in a sparkling procession. The best viewing sites include Lazy Days South, Marathon Marina, Sombrero Dockside Lounge and Burdines Waterfront around MM 47-50. Contact: www.bootkeyharbor.com/christmas_parade.htm