Summer Sweetness at the Key Lime Festival

The Florida Legislature made Key Lime pie the official state pie in 2006. FILDA KONEC / KEYLIMEFESTIVAL.COM

It’s the fruit that’s come to dominate desserts, coladas, and, of course, the culinary offerings of Key West. This Independence Day Weekend marks the return of The Key Lime Festival with a lineup of spectacles and competitions that invite citrus lovers, day drinkers, and families to take in the outdoor affairs.

As always, one of the island’s lead figures on the subject, author and festival co-founder David Sloan (“Quit Your Job and Move to Key West,” “The Key West Bucket List,” “Ghosts of Key West”) gets the festival going on July 3, with the kickoff champagne reception at the historical Curry Mansion where he will be signing copies of his “Key West Key Lime Pie Cookbook.” Sloan’s latest tribute to the dish highlights historical tidbits and recipes for crusts, fillings, and toppings that readers can mix and match for personal favorites.

“The Key lime pairs well with so many ingredients, but beyond that, it has a fascinating history that tells the stories of its creators and the people who have shared this important part of our food culture,” Sloan said of his cookbook.

That evening also features a special dinner hosted by Kaya Island Eats called “Living the Key Lime Life.” The downtown restaurant has gained a following for its Caribbean and Hawaiian influenced dishes, which include the often-requested fish tacos, jerk wings, and seafood pastas. As part of the celebrations, the open-aired beach-style space, tucked off Duval, will offer patrons multiple courses focusing on Key West pink shrimp with a key lime sauce, locally caught fish with jerk seasoning, and Cuban hand rolls.

Head over to Williams Hall, which has been beautifully refurbished, and you can also enjoy another curated multi-course dinner, this time hosted by Unity Table. The “Key Lime Dinner,” hosted together with Great Events Catering, offers five upscale dishes, including seared sea scallops, a watermelon stone crab salad, black grouper, a black-bottom Key lime pie and Key lime beignets.

Key Lime Festival-goers can enjoy a kick-off party with festival co-founder and “Key West Key Lime Pie Cookbook” author David Sloan. ROB O’NEA / COURTESY PHOTO

Perhaps the most popular and one of the most exciting events is the World Famous Key Lime Pie Eating Championship on July 4, which draws a mix of local and out-of-state entrants who race against each other to consume their singular hefty pie with a generous topping of whipped cream. This is perhaps a nod to the hot dog-eating competitions that typically dominate the weekend in other parts of the country. Past winners have included fantastically costumed locals (see Slice) and tire manufacturing in managers from Iowa who demolished is their respective pies in minutes face-first and hands-free (per competition rules).

In reaching for new heights, the annual Key Lime Pie Drop on July 6 is a family-friendly event for anyone eager to gather around the historical Key West Lighthouse and watch various contraptions attached to pies soar, plummet, hit, and miss the intended target below—all the while trying to avoid disturbing the delicate desserts.

The weekend-long action, of course, is not limited to faces stuffed with pie. On offer across multiple days are tastings at the Key West First Legal Rum Distillery, pie-making classes at the Key West Key Lime Pie Co., daily brunches at the favored Moondog Cafe, and even a Hot Wheels race.

KeyLimeFestival.com
The Key Lime Festival | JULY 3–7 ¦

Kendra Hoskin places a Key Lime pie in front of a pie-eating competitor in the 2023 Championship. CAROL TEDESCO FOR KEYLIMEFESTIVAL.COM

The Key Lime Festival offers five days of activities, competitions and culinary experiences. KEYLIMEFESTIVAL.COM / COURTESY PHOTOS

Joshua Mogle of Altoona, IA, wins the 2023 Key Lime Pie Eating Championship. BELOW

The annual gravity-defying Key Lime Pie drop competition at the Historic Key West Lighthouse.

Chris Schultz of Key West, center, took the World Famous Key Lime Pie Eating Championship prize in 2022. COURTESY PHOTO

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