I must tell you all that if you have never visited Key West, Florida, I highly recommend it! Normally, the tourist season is the highest during November through February when it isn't searingly hot, but I go in July to support my father in the Ernest Hemingway Look Alike contest. This is one of the funniest and most fun competitions that is supported and followed by many, and Sloppy Joe's Bar in Key West hosts this event every year. This was the 30th year of the event, and not only is it a competition of older gentlemen with white hair and a beard and mustache, the money generated from the auctions and other events goes towards the Scholarship fund that is awarded to a local Key West student! Not to mention, the winner is interviewed by several major news outlets! It's a wonderful event, and we also had a wedding to attend as well -- so much to do!
Dad made the finals, but sadly, didn't win the honor of being a Papa Hemingway this year -- however, it's the 3rd year in a row that he's made the finals, so maybe next year, right? A post will be coming soon for a quick overview of the event and the trip. Although not a very bookish review, it is however, a trip that is prompted by one of the great writers in history for the Hemingway Days Festival! Click here to see the events overview and pictures of the winner!
I lazed around in hot Key West and didn't really read too much -- I had hoped to finish The Monsters of Templeton,
by Lauren Groff, but spent each day surrounded by family and friends for the Hemingway Contest and the wedding, and then fell fast asleep as soon as my head hit my bed and breakfast pillow at the Angelina Guest House...however I was able to jump back into it this morning and I'm excited to finish this.
by Lauren Groff, but spent each day surrounded by family and friends for the Hemingway Contest and the wedding, and then fell fast asleep as soon as my head hit my bed and breakfast pillow at the Angelina Guest House...however I was able to jump back into it this morning and I'm excited to finish this. Up next is The Tapestry of Love
, by Rosy Thornton, and The Handmaid's Tale
, by Margaret Atwood!
Happy Reading!
Coffee and a Book Chick
, by Rosy Thornton, and The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood!Happy Reading!
Coffee and a Book Chick
Holy cow, I clicked on the link and couldn't believe all those Hemingways! What a riot! That must be so fun!!!
ReplyDeleteCOOL!! I had no idea this existed with the fun look-alike contest and all. Good luck to your father. I hope he takes the prize next year!
ReplyDeleteHow did he not win? He looks just like him! LOL! That is possibly the most awesome contest ever!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog today! I hope you don't mind, but I am going to tweet this post because this is the coolest post I've read in awhile!
I hope your dad wins next year! Key West is a perennial favorite of mine and I wish I had been there this year to cheer him on!
ReplyDeleteRhapsody in Books -- Isn't it hilarious!! It is so much fun to attend and it is also incredibly surreal! Everyone looks like Dad! :)
ReplyDeleteAndi -- Thanks!! We are crossing our fingers and hoping for next year -- the fun of going and cheering is the best part, but hopefully we can get a win out of it!!
Carin -- It is an absolute blast to attend! Oh, and I would love it if you tweeted the post, what a compliment! Thank you so much!!
Constance Reader -- I just love Key West! There's just something about that place -- I feel like I should move there one day, it's so perfect! Our cheering section was wonderful but we can always use more folks to come out and wear a shirt and wave a sign! :) You're always welcome!! :)
I long to visit Key West sometime -- perhaps when I retire and my husband could take part in the Look-a-like contest :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by my blog today. I look forward to following your posts in the future.
I found your blog through your comment on Literary Musings. Looks like our taste in books is really similar! I am looking forward to hearing what you think of The Monsters of Templeton.
ReplyDeleteI've been to Florida but never Key West. Now you have me intrigued!
ReplyDeleteHemingway look alike contest! That's awesome! Too bad you're dad didn't win - he resembles him quite a bit! It sounds like a lovely vacation.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds SO fun! Ah, celebrity look-alikes of the literary variety- that seems way better than the Elvis impersonators ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great contest! Sounds like you had a good time out there on your holidays.
ReplyDeleteThe contest sounds like so much fun - I can't believe your dad didn't win it. You should read Turtle in Paradise - it's a middle grade book, but it's set in Key West and it's full of great characters.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, how do the judges decide? Those men all look pretty much like Papa to me! I hope your father wins next year. Besides the honor, what other prizes would he get?
ReplyDeleteMolly -- Thanks so much for swinging by!! Yes, retire to Key West and your husband should compete! I assure you, it is so much fun!
ReplyDeleteKathy -- Thank you for visiting! I love Literary Musing's site! Glad we could meet up through that blog, and my thoughts on The Monsters of Templeton should be in the next couple of days! Please stop by again!
Connie @ SogniESorrisi -- You must go to Key West! I am very confident you'll like it!
Brenna -- The contest is a blast and we're ready for next year! Maybe next year will be his year! :)
Aarti -- You are so right! Literary look alike contests, and particularly this one, are too much fun! And I do think much more fun than the Elvis impersonator -- these old guys during the Hemingway Days are hilarious!
Leeswammes -- Thanks! I had a fabulous time, way too much fun!
Bermuda Onion -- Ooh, thanks for the tip on the book! Anything set in Key West is right up my alley!
Pop Culture Nerd -- Thanks for stopping by! Criteria to win -- must look like Hemingway, must be a nice guy and give a good speech, must be willing to do whatever it takes to encourage donations for their scholarship fund, must like to drink, fish...! There isn't a particular prize --- just the honor of being a Papa Hemingway, interviewed by all major networks, and having an excuse to come to Key West every year to judge the next year's contestants! :)
I would have voted for your dad! What a fun event! I love visiting writers' houses. Have you seen the new site that talks about them? I think you'd like it...http://writershouses.com/contents/.
ReplyDeleteAnd speaking of visiting, thank you for coming by my blog and all your thoughtful comments!
Visiting Hemingway's home was one of the highlights of Key West for me. Far better than all the bars! ;)
ReplyDeleteAudrey -- Thanks for the tip on that site! I love it!! And thanks for sending a virtual vote -- I think next year will be *the* year!
ReplyDeleteBellezza -- I agree! I've visited his home twice and love it, especially his carriage house/study. Of course, the six-toed cats were fun, too!
WOW What FUN!!!! And your Dad is such a Hemingway look-a-like!!!! Does he read A Farewell to Arms just to help tuck you in? LOL! He's got to win next year...Heck if it helps I'll come to Key West in July to be a supporter and fan of his! We just went in April for 4 nights and of course spent quite some time at Sloppy Joe's! Any excuse to party in the Keys...let me know and we'll be there!!!
ReplyDeleteoh, and by the way, i think that is too cool that your dad will get in a Hemingway look-a-like contest. Your dad has got to be the coolest literary dad around!
ReplyDeleteWhat a hoot! I cant believe he didn't win... did they let actual relatives enter? Anyway, what a great way to spend a vacation, celebrating Hemingway, spending time with your dad, and visiting Key West. Now here's an idea - didn't Hemingway spend some time in France? Tae your dad to France and see if they remember him. post the outcomes in next years Paris in July!
ReplyDelete@ Stacy -- Ooh, you are so welcome to come and join in the festivities next year! It's much hotter in July, but when you're at Sloppy Joe's in Key West, who cares, right?! And yes, you are right -- I've got a pretty cool Dad! :)
ReplyDelete@ Tamara -- Yes, good ole Hem spent time in Paris, and wrote A Moveable Feast! I wrote a review on it (one of my favorite books *ever*) -- and I think your idea is a fabulous one!! How interesting to see what reactions might be and it would certainly make a fantastic post for next July! :)
Hiya, I saw this article in the Guardian about the Hemingway contest and thought of your post! Here's the link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/jul/28/ernest-hemingway-lookalike-contest
Cheers!
@ Nadia -- Oh, my thanks for stopping by! And thanks for the link!! I'm so thrilled that it made The Guardian!! What a great article -- I'm forwarding out to my family, they will love this!!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! I've always wanted to see that contest.
ReplyDeleteFunny, I'm also reading The Handmaid's Tale right now and The Tapestry of Love up next. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on both.