Conch Republic Independence Celebration - Key West, FL

DAILY

2:00 PM – 9:00 PM CRIC 2024 HQ & WELCOME CENTER at the Key West Historic Seaport, foot of Elizabeth & Greene. The place to visit to pick up your “OFFICIAL Conch Republic” Citizen Passports, Souvenirs, Merchandise, Event Tickets, and Complimentary CRIC 2024 Program Guide. 

DAY & SUNSET SAILS, SNORKEL & DIVE TRIPS, PARASAILING & MORE 
Take to the sea aboard a majestic schooner, including Danger, When & If, Malabar X, Jolly II Rover, Spirit of Independence & America, luxury catamaran Argo Navis or Sloop High Tide.
Book passage with Danger Charters, Sunset Sail Key West, Fury Catamarans, Sunset Watersports, Sebago, Barefoot Billy’s Watersports, Jolly II Rover, and Spirit of Independence online.

FRIDAY, APRIL 19th

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
CONCHY BEACH CLEANUP across from Salute! On the Beach, 1000 Atlantic Blvd. Sponsored by the CR Green Ops & Key West Ploggers and Help Keep the Conch Republic Beautiful! For more info, visit CityOfKeyWest-Fl.gov or DM Plogging in the Keys. FREE.

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
OPENING CEREMONY & RAISING OF THE COLORS at Mallory Square, 400 Wall St. This light-hearted ceremony celebrates the 42nd anniversary of our independence. Ceremony includes the CR Pledge of Allegiance, Battle Hymn & Conch Shell-Horn Salute.
 

SATURDAY, APRIL 20th

**NEW EVENT** 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
1ST Annual CONCH REPUBLIC PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT at the Higg’s Beach. Sponsored by Sobek Pickleball Academy and Key West First Legal Rum Distillery. Stay tuned for more details!

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
CONCH CRAWL BAR STROLL, RUM SALUTE & DISTILLERY TOUR through Old Town. Learn how rum is distilled and visit storied saloons. Tickets include a Conch Crawl tee-shirt (while supply lasts) and a drink at each stop. For more info, call: 305 509 9775.

2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
 40TH Annual CR DRAG RACES ON DUVAL at Bourbon Street Pub, 724 Duval St. Don your high heels & best frock and enter… or cheer on the hottest drag queens as they go heel to heel for a series of races & obstacle courses. For more info, call: 305 747 0343.

SUNDAY, APRIL 21st

5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
JAZZ IN THE GARDENS HOTEL, 526 Angela St. The d’vine Wine Gallery, set amongst an enchanting tropical garden, is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine while listening to great live music with world renowned jazz artists. For more info, visit: GardensHotel.com. FREE (Cash Bar).

MONDAY, APRIL 22nd

5:00PM-7:00 PM
CONCH REPUBLIC K-9 MUSTER. (not confirmed)

TUESDAY APRIL 23rd

5:00 PM – 6:00PM
42ND INDEPENDENCE DAY CEREMONY at USCGC INGHAM Museum Ship Truman Waterfront Pier, Foot of Southard. Celebrate with CR Military Brass and Dignitaries. Live music with Sir CW Colt. Sponsored by Key West First Legal Rum Distillery and TikiManRadio.com. FREE (Cash Bar).

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
CONCH REPUBLIC MILITARY MUSTER & CONCH-TAIL PARTY  aboard USCGC INGHAM Museum Ship, Truman Waterfront. Bend elbows with CR Military Admirals, Generals, Ambassador & Island Dignitaries. Sip Truth Serum and enjoy an “Auborne Skies.”

8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MANDATORY CAPTAINS’ MEETING CR NAVAL PARADE, USCGC Ingham Meet with event organizers to review pre-parade staging and line up and pick up complimentary CR flags from Secretary of State, CDRE James Gilleran, CRN. FREE (Cash Bar).

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24th

6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
HOT HAVANA NIGHT DANCE PARTY WITH CARIBE OF KEY WEST Location TBA.  Salsa the night away and enjoy RUM and set ups. Bid on authentic Cuban Treasure, enjoy Cuban Cuisine and cigars under the stars.

THURSDAY, APRIL 25TH

**NEW EVENT** 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
CR FARMERS MARKET at Truman Waterfront Park, foot of Southard St. Shop fresh produce, specialty foods, unique handmade arts & crafts. Enjoy live music at the TikiMan.com Tent. For more info, visit: KeysArtisanMarket.com FREE

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
PARADE PRE-PARTY & CR MILITARY COMMISSIONING CEREMONY, at The Mansion on the Sea, 1400 Duval St. Mingle with Admirals, Generals, Pirates and Parade Participants. Enjoy live music and celebratory libations with a spectacular ocean view.

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
DUVAL STREET MILE FUN RUN Sprint the length of paradise, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. Let’s see who’s faster, the Navy, the Coast Guard, or Air Force. Find out which bar staff is the swiftest afoot, which fitness center is the fittest, and which class of students can step the liveliest.

8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
WORLD’S LOOOOONGEST PARADE on Duval. This world-famous, quirky, and colorful parade celebrates our CR Independence and runs from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, ending at Schooner Wharf Bar, KW Historic Seaport.

Come early and meet parade participants and their unique & quirky modes of transport. Parade musters at 7:00 PM. FREE

9:00 PM – LATE
PARADE AFTER-PARTY & AWARDS CEREMONY, at Schooner Wharf Bar, ‘Official CRIC 2024 Party Headquarters,’ 202 William St., Historic Seaport. Dance to great live music under the stars, mingle with CR Dignitaries & Military High Command, Pirates & Patriots.

Parade prizes for Best “Conch-cept,” Most Original & Most Creative parade entries. For info, visit SchoonerWharf.com. FREE (Cash Bar.)

FRIDAY, APRIL 26TH

7:00 PM
42ND Annual CR INDEPENDENCE NAVAL PARADE, in Key West Harbor. Watch the majestic CR Naval Fleet, Privateers, Charter Boats, and Private vessels sail past Mallory Square Sunset Celebration, then cheer them on as they ready themselves for battle.

View from shore, book passage on a passenger boat for the parade, or join the parade in your own vessel,
decked out with colorful Conch Republic flags and celebrate 42 Years of FUN-Dependence at sea! FREE.

7:00 PM
42nd Annual REENACTMENT OF THE GREAT SEA BATTLE OF THE CONCH REPUBLIC, In, alongside and above Key West Harbor the Battle is a highlight of our celebration. This large scale, hilarious harbor battle pits the CR’s Military Forces (Air Force, Army & Navy), along with CR Privateers of all shapes and sizes, against their valiant foe – non-other than a United States Coast Guard Cutter. Sponsored Conch Republic Military Forces, USCG Station Key West & TikiManRadio.com

Best viewing at Mallory Square Sunset Celebration. FREE (Cash Bar.)

8:00 PM – LATE
42nd Annual “SURRENDER CEREMONY & VICTORY PARTY” CONCH REPUBLIC SEA BATTLE at Schooner Wharf Bar, ‘Official CRIC 2024 Party Headquarters,’ 202 William St., Historic Seaport. Witness the hilarious ‘Tongue-in-Cheek’ Surrender Ceremony of the US Coasties, to the CR Armed Forces – “A Farce to be Reckoned With!” For more info, visit: SchoonerWharf.com. FREE (Cash Bar).

SATURDAY, APRIL 27TH

**NEW EVENT** 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
1st Annual Conch Republic Commotion on the Ocean Amateur Boxing Match, (location TBA.) Hosted by Key West Police Activities Leauge, proceeds benefit Key West Police Activities League (PAL.) Stay tuned for more info.

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
4th Annual Conch Crawl Bar & PUP Stroll (stay tuned for more info)

1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
42nd Annual CONCH REPUBLIC BLUE RIBBON BED RACES, 801 Duval St. Said to be “The most fun you can have with your clothes on,” this zany race takes place on Duval between Olivia and Southard. Put together your own team and decorate a bed to compete for prizes in this hilarious race.

Come early to meet the teams and stroll the crazy, colorful beds competing for the ‘BLUE RIBBON.’ Proceeds benefit Key West’s Sister Season, “Locals Helping Locals.” Registration at 1 PM, Race at 3 PM, Awards Ceremony at 5 PM. For more info, visit: SisterSeason.org.

7:00 – 8:00 PM
39th ANNUAL “SCHOONER WHARF WRECKERS CUP RACE SERIES” CAPTAINS’ MEETING at Schooner Wharf Bar, ‘Official CRIC 2024 Party Headquarters,’ 202 William St., KW Historic Seaport. Mandatory meeting for April 28 race in the Sail Loft. To sign up, or for more info, visit: SchoonerWharf.com. FREE (Cash Bar).

7:00 PM
37th Annual PIRATE BALL & COSTUME CONTEST at Schooner Wharf Bar, ‘Official Party Headquarters,’ 202 William St., Key West Historic Seaport. Yo Ho Ho! And a Bottle of Rum – It’s a Pirate’s Life for You!

Witness swashbuckling sword play, enjoy sea shanties. Live Music, food & drink, For more info, SchoonerWharf.com. FREE (Cash Bar).

SUNDAY, APRIL 28TH

**NEW EVENT** 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
KEY WEST ARTISAN MARKET at Higgs Beach, 1801 White St. Where the locals meet to shop local artists, specialty food vendors, and enjoy live music. FREE. For more info, visit: KeysAritisanMarket.com.

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
39th Annual Schooner Wharf WRECKERS RACE SERIES CUP RACE SERIES to Sand Key Lighthouse with the Schooner Wharf Wreckers Fleet. Or enter your own vessel in the final race of the 2020 season!

5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Jazz in the Gardens Hotel for the Conch Republic, 526 Angela Street. The d’vine Wine Gallery is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine while listening to some great live music with world renowned jazz artists. For more info, visit: GardensHotel.com. FREE (Cash Bar.)

7:00 PM
37th Annual SCHOONER WHARF WRECKERS RACE SERIES CUP “AWARDS PARTY AND CEREMONY, at Schooner Wharf Bar, ‘Official Party Headquarters,’ 202 William St., KW Historic Seaport. View video of the race while enjoying a BBQ dinner and live music.