Key West Pageant Honors Hemingway’s Writing and Colourful Life-style

KEY WEST, Fla., June 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In his novel “To Have and Have Not,” Ernest Hemingway painted a compelling portrait of Depression-era Key West, his dwelling within the Thirties. The 2026 Hemingway Look-Alike Contest and pageant, scheduled Tuesday by way of Sunday, July 21-26, celebrates his affect — highlighted by the famed Look-Alike Contest at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, 201 Duval St., and artistic occasions that honor his writing expertise.

The pageant’s July 21 opening evening, the 127th anniversary of the legendary author’s start, begins with the announcement and studying of the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition’s successful entry. The literary problem is directed by Ernest’s writer granddaughter Lorian and awards $2,500 yearly to deserving writers.  

Scheduled for six p.m. at Key West’s Williams Hall, 729  Fleming St., the studying is adopted by a screening of “The Beard Also Rises.” The quick movie by Cassidy Rast and Odin Wadleigh celebrates the world-renowned annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest and its winners and entrants. Also deliberate is a “trailer” preview of the duo’s “Beards Go to Cuba,” showcasing the Look-Alikes’ philanthropic actions in help of the Cuban individuals. 

At 8:15 p.m. that evening, Williams Hall will present “The Old Man and the Sea,” the basic 1958 movie primarily based on Hemingway’s masterful novella, “The Old Man and the Sea.” Spencer Tracy stars as Santiago, a Cuban fisherman who wages an epic battle with an enormous marlin.

Cultural occasions proceed Thursday, July 23, with an exploration of Hemingway’s love of Florida Keys angling and his lesser-known fisheries conservation actions. “Following the Fish: Hemingway in Key West” is introduced by Cori Convertito, Ph.D., curator of the Key West Art & Historical Society. Part of her standard “Happy Hour with the Historian” sequence, it is set for 5-6 p.m. at Comedy Key West, 218 Whitehead St.

A salute to Ernest’s storytelling talent is deliberate for 1-4 p.m. Sunday, July 26, in an institution that is dwelling to the award -winning Papa’s Pilar Rum. The “Papa’s Tales” Storytelling Competition will happen on the Hemingway Distillery’s Hemingway Social Club, 201 Simonton St. Entrants in two classes should spin a spoken-word story of three minutes or much less, with judges evaluating them on model, supply and originality. Entry is free and the grand prize contains the Barrel Head Trophy.

The cultural schedule is bookended Tuesday and Sunday, July 21 and 26, by “Hemingway Collection” museum days on the Key West Museum of Art and History on the Custom House, 281 Front St. Attendees can view uncommon artifacts and memorabilia from the writer’s life, a full-size bronze of him, and 59 unique drawings by famed marine wildlife artist Guy Harvey illustrating “The Old Man and the Sea.” Admission is free to those that point out the Hemingway festivities upon arrival.

The Hemingway Look-Alike Contest and pageant is introduced partly by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. For particulars and a full occasion schedule, go to www.keywestlookalikes.com.

Media Contact: Carol Shaughnessy
Phone: 305-797-0579
E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Sloppy Joe’s Bar