Florida Keys clean up from storms and start planning for the next party

KEY WEST, Fla. — The Florida Keys have cleaned up from the recent spate of storms and are proceeding with plans for several events this fall, including the Halloween-themed Fantasy Fest and a party marking the end of hurricane season.

“This town knows how to clean up after a storm or a large party,” Key West City Manager Jim Scholl said. “We’re ready for visitors.”

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Florida Keys News Bureau / Andy Newman

A tractor operator sweeps seaweed off Smathers Beach in Key West, Fla. Keys tourism officials want visitors to know that the Keys have cleaned up after the recent storms and are ready for fall festivals.

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Although the island chain was spared major damage, visitor evacuations for Ike and Tropical Storm Fay, plus a brush with Hurricane Gustav, resulted in tourism revenue losses in the Keys of $29 million.

Fantasy Fest takes place on Key West Oct. 17-26, with 10 days of masquerade balls, costume contests and a parade. Get out your Sarah Palin glasses and dress up for the theme of this year’s festival: “Pirates, Pundits and Political Party Animals.”

A Pirates in Paradise Festival, scheduled for Nov. 29-Dec. 7, includes a National Walk the Plank Championship, Dec. 4, and the annual “America’s Official End of the Hurricane Season Party,” Nov. 30. Festivities include a ceremony in which Key West National Weather Service chief meteorologist Matt Strahan burns the flags used to indicate that a hurricane warning is in effect.

Other events include the Islamorada Sportfishing Festival, Sept. 26-28, and the annual family-friendly Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival, also Sept. 26-28, based in Marathon at Curry Hammock State Park with field trips throughout the Keys. Divers can work alongside marine scientists on build-a-reef opportunities in the Upper Florida Keys, Sept. 24-26 at Quiescence Diving Services in Key Largo, Oct. 8-12 with Amoray Dive Resort in Key Largo and Oct. 29-31 with Florida Keys Dive Center in Islamorada.

Details at www.fla-keys.com.