Marathon is the place to be for festivals and events that celebrate the Keys’ rich history, culture, and cuisine while also bringing the community together. No wonder so many folks cherish the time they spend in their Florida Keys vacation homes. The small towns of the Florida Keys create an intimate bond between residents and visitors with traditions that continue year after year.
There’s a sense of pride in Marathon and it shows in the energy we put into these amazing celebrations no matter the time of year. This unique spirit gives Marathon a relaxed vibe and makes us feel worlds away from unwanted stress. Here’s some of the noteworthy festivities that Marathon has to offer throughout the twelve months of the year:
JANUARY EVENTS
• Island Boat Show at Hawks Cay Resort - MM 61; Oceanside; 2nd week of January (Saturday & Sunday); lots of boats, auction items, food, vendors with a variety of merchandise, great fishing seminars presented by local captains…$10 admission. Contact-713-480-9194 for more info about the Island Boat Show at Hawks Cay.
Many top boat brands featured in the past include—Yellowfin, Hurricane, Tidewater, Invincible, Grady White, Twin Vee, Century, Fountain, BlackFin, Streamline, Scarab, Worldcat, Everglades, ShearWater, SeaVee Boats, Hell’s Bay, Stamas Yacht, Bahama, Monterey, Regulator, Shallow Sport, NauticStar, Contender, Cobia, Concept, Wellcraft, Sailfish, Glassstream, Seapro, Nautique, Hysucat, Black Water, Robalo, Piranha, Pursuit, Stingray, South Florida Performance, Bob Hewes, Sportsman, Blue-Wave, and Deep Impact.
Previous exhibitors included: Seven Marine, Boats Direct USA, Gus Toy Box, Seven Sports Marine, Riva Motor Sports, Unique Marine, Apex Marine Sales LLC, Yellowfin Boats, Caribee Marine, Hell's Bay Boatworks, Marine Connection, Piranha Boatworks, Yacht Works, Sea Vee Boats, Mayday Marine Services, South FL Performance Boats, Bob Hewes Boats, Xact Customs, Cosme’s Marine, Streamline Performance Boats, Hola Yachts, Hysucat, and Bahama Boatworks.
And for those with Florida Keys vacation homes who want to learn from the pros…
Catch the Fishing Seminars at the event! Last year’s line up looked like this: Saturday;1 pm--Nathan Graves - Yellowtail Snapper; 2 pm--Tony Young - Spearfishing - Lion Fish; 3 pm--Rich Tudor - Dolphin (Mahi Mahi); Sunday; 12 pm--Tony Young – Spearfishing; 1 pm--Richard Black – Sailfish; 2 pm--Rich Tudor - Mangrove Snapper.
• Celtic Festival; January 11-12, 2020; Marathon Community Park; MM49 US Hwy 1 Oceanside; tickets--$10; featuring family-friendly Celtic rock and traditional music, Irish & Scottish dancing, pipes and drums, Highland Athletics, sheepdog herding, a children’s glen with games, face painting and fun activities, and fabulous Celtic (and Keys) foods and crafts vendors. “Festival goers may even catch a glimpse of the ConchNess Monster!” The 5th Annual Florida Keys Celtic Festival is produced by St. Columba Episcopal Church and Celtic Heritage Productions to benefit The Hammock House Youth Programs for the Children of Marathon, “a no-cost, healthy place to thrive emotionally, intellectually, artistically and spiritually.”
Event include: Kilts in the Keys Kick-off Party, Iona Tea Garden, Women’s Highland Athletics Competition (sanctioned by Strongman); Men’s Highland Athletics Demonstrations; Sheepdog Herding Demo! The music is incredible. Performers include West of Galway Duo, Brendan Nolan with Colin Farrell, Albannach, and the Screaming Orphans.
Ongoing throughout the day: Performances by Police Pipe & Drum Corps of Florida; Highland Athletic Competition; Sheep Dog Herding Demonstration by Craigmalloch Farms; Calli Dancing in the dance pavilion; Tai Chi Demos.
So come and “get your kilt on” and support the Marathon community.
FEBRUARY EVENTS
• Pigeon Key Art Festival; February 2, 3, 2019; Marathon Community Park; MM49 US Hwy 1 Oceanside; “A big show for a tiny island” celebrated its 25th anniversary this winter. More than 50 fine artists and craftsmen gather every year on the historic island in the Keys for a two-day juried event. International prestigious artists and quality buyers come together to share their passion as well as amazing local cuisine, live art and a celebrity artist auction, entertainment, children’s activities and educational programming that reinforces the Pigeon Key Foundation’s preservation, research and marine biology projects. Admission to the Pigeon Key Art Festival is $7 for both days (and no charge for kids 12 and under). Every dime stays local to help the Foundation carry out its mission to promote and preserve history, education and research. Original works of art purchased for our Florida Keys vacation homes help an amazing organization that helps our community.
• Coral Head Music Fest; February 16-17, 2019; Marathon Community Park; MM49 US Hwy 1 Oceanside; Vince Neil, Jackyl, Sweet, John Cafferty, Mitch Perry, Lazy Bonez, art Mulcahy, Caffeine Carl, Fiddle Rock, John Bartus, and Jen all came together to celebrate their love for music and community. Two day passes are available or daily tickets. This group of motorcycle enthusiasts “are dedicated to helping American veterans, their families, and the community.” The Coral Head MusicFest raises funds to benefit the veterans. This is the biggest concert event in the Keys! Come and celebrate at the City Park Amphitheater in Marathon. October brings another music event to the Keys!
MARCH EVENTS
• Key Colony Beach Day; March 3,2019; MM 53, Oceanside Now in its 62nd year! Held the first Sunday in March ever year by the Key Colon Beach Community Association in the Municipal Complex Parking Lot & Parks, Key Colony Beach. Money raised from this festival is donated to local charities, helps buy equipment for local services, and also is donated to college scholarships. There’s plenty to draw a happy crowd: Live music, a parade, local entertainment and out of town, pancake breakfast (8-10 am), silent auction, rubber duckie and barracuda races. Make sure you leave time to check out the 110 food, art, jewelry and merchandise vendors too! Entertainment for 2019: Pa Pa Pete, Michael J Group, and the Christopher Dean Band.
• Marathon Seafood Festival; March 9, 10, 2019; Marathon Community Park; MM49 US Hwy 1; Oceanside; the second largest Florida Keys’ event and it’s growing by leaps and bounds every year thanks the area’s local commercial fishermen! This is the premier Marathon festival that celebrates amazingly fresh seafood that we all know and love in Marathon. Top-notch entertainment will also keep your whole family amused for two awesome days. Some of what to look forward to:
-fresh local seafood; lobster tails, stone crab, fish and shrimp
-beverages; cold beer, wine and bubbly that are affordable
- live music entertainment
-games and activities for kids and adults alike; try the rock-climbing wall!
-over 200 vendors; jewelry, clothing, art, crafts, souvenirs, and boat show
-raffle giveaways, prizes and games
Music line-up:
Saturday 10 am—Terry Cassidy & Gary Hempsey (Blue Grass and Country)
Saturday 11 am—The Stone Crabs (Reggae, Rock, Folk, Blues, Hip-Hop); voted Best Band in the Best of Marathon Contest
Saturday 1 pm—I-Land Vibe (Caribbean)
Saturday 3 pm—Jade Storm (Classic Rock)
Saturday 5 pm—Caribe (Hispanic)
Saturday 7 pm—Crush (Rock)
Sunday 10 am—Tim Dee & Jim Hill Band (Sixties Rock)
Sunday 11 am—Ricky Valido (Modern Traditional Country)
Sunday 1 pm—Howard Livingston & Mike Marker 24 Band (Tropical Island Band
Sunday 3 pm—Maggie Baugh (Country)
APRIL EVENTS
• 7 Mile Bridge Run; MM 47, April 6, 2019, in its 38th year it began as a dedication run in 1982, celebrating the opening of 7 Mile Bridge. This run’s scenic 6.8 mile route is completely surrounded by water. Monies are donated to the local youth of the Middle Keys, both at the local schools as well as other athletic youth groups; Middle Keys’ kids have benefited from donations of well over $500,000 distributed by the Marathon Runners Club. The 7 Mile Bridge Run is limited to 1500 runners.
Event timeline:
6:45 am--7 Mile Bridge closes to all traffic.
7:10 am--Wheelchair Start
7:20 am--Race Begins
8:25 – 8:50 am-- Buses leave the start at 8:25. Runners still on the bridge as the buses approach will be picked up so the bridge can open at 9 am (no exceptions)
9 am--Bridge reopens; the first group of buses with runners leave the West side of Bridge to return to Switlik Elementary
9:30 am--Awards at the shore of 33rd Street Gulfside
There will be plenty of cold soda, beer and water after the race. Awards will be presented to the top overall winners, top overall Master, Grand Master, Senior Grand Master and the top three in each age division. Awards ceremony follows the race at the shore of 33rd Street on the Gulfside.
MAY EVENTS
• Annual Mother's Day Dolphin Tournament; May 10-11, 2019; in its 13th year. “Join us and ‘Fish for a Cause.’” Last year’s event was a sweet success— thanks to the Marathon Boat Yard along with Yamaha, (last year's tournament-naming sponsor) and all the anglers, captains, mates, sponsors and volunteers. 150 registered anglers in 42 boats competed in the one-day Dolphin shootout. Anglers weighed their heaviest dolphin catch at Curly's Coffee and Marina. The Saturday night Awards Banquet celebrated the day in style. $45,000 was raised for Habitat Middle Keys to build new and affordable homes for the hard-working families in Marathon at a 0% interest loan. Donations also are used for hurricane recovery repairs and critical home repairs to homeowners in the Middle Keys. Talk about worthy causes! Don’t miss the Habitat for Humanity Dolphin Tournament.
JULY EVENTS
• Mini-Lobster Season throughout the Florida Keys—annual two-day period the last Wednesday and Thursday of July when sports fishermen can gather lobster before the commercial fishermen set out.
There are some rules to adhere to when taking part in spiny lobster season:
--carry your saltwater fishing license
--measure your lobsters in the water (they must be larger than 3 inches from horns to bottom of carapace)
--keep your lobsters (no more than six per day) intact
--don't use traps, spears or guns
--don't catch females with eggs
--don't harvest in the Biscayne Bay/Card Sound Lobster Sanctuary; Dry Tortugas; the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
--don't dive at night; one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise
SEPTEMBER EVENTS
• Hawks Cay Heroes Salute-- Labor Day Weekend; MM61; Oceanside; this weekend is proudly designated for three days and is chock full of patriotic celebration and fun. Friends and family all come together in Marathon for an exhilarating run/walk, awe-inspiring fireworks, and an opportunity to proudly show our support and gratitude to those who have bravely served our country. “Our Heroes: current and former military, fire and rescue, law enforcement, and medical personnel will receive special rates at Hawks Cay starting at just $119 for a three night stay or longer. Civilians enjoy 20% off accommodations at Hawks Cay simply by donating $5 to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.” There is no better way to celebrate our country and our Marathon community that at the the Hawks Cay Heroes Salute!
OCTOBER EVENTS
• Keys Fisheries Stone Crab Eating Competition; MM 48 Gulfside; Saturday, October 26, 2019; 12 pm; many local businesses take pride in contributing prizes like gift cards to local restaurants, day passes to popular attractions and stays at hotels. This is one fun contest that relies upon cracking and eating 25 stone crab claws with speed! Keys Fisheries is the Middle Keys’ most popular seafood restaurant, whole sale fisherie market and marina, located on the picturesque edge of the bay. Bring your appetite!
• Coral Head Bluesfest 2019 Concert in the Park, October 19, 2019; Marathon Community Park; MM49 US Hwy 1; Oceanside; Amazing musical line up: Dana Fuchs, Anthony Gomes, Ghost Town Blues Band, Paul DesLauriers Band, Mike Zito, and Bill Blue Band, a Key West local!
NOVEMBER EVENTS
• BPW Taste of the Islands; Marathon Community Park; MM49 US Hwy 1; Oceanside; this November fund-raiser celebrates the culinary arts. Presented by Marathon’s Business and Professional Women’s Club, the Middle Keys’ most illustrious restaurants have the delicious occasion to let the community taste their finest fare. This tasting event raises funds for a scholarship fund. As many as a dozen restaurants competed in the past, and attendees get to sample all of the varied cuisine! Free admission for kids under 12 and veterans with ID. This event showcases:
--local food
--craft beers
--an assortment of wines
--an auction
--kids’ activities
--vendors
--art & entertainment
This is the place to sample a wide array of unique cuisine from so many renowned restaurants from around the Keys!
DECEMBER EVENTS
• Boot Key Lighted Holiday Boat Parade; MM48; Oceanside; a cherished festive tradition with dinghies, mega yachts and the full gamut of boats all aglow! Folks gather for the glorious sight at Lazy Days South, Burdines, Marathon Marina, and Dockside Tropical Café. The parade begins at the west end of Boot Key Harbor when the sun has set in Marathon, about six pm, and cruises east to the Marathon Marina and Resort. Prizes are given to the best entries.
• Key Colony Beach Holiday Boat Parade; MM 53; Oceanside; another popular event at dusk sponsored by the KCB Fishing and Boating Club. The parade begins in the canal between the Sadowski Causeway and the 7th Street in Key Colony Beach and finishes in the 12th Street canal. Holiday party at the parade’s end! Awards are given for Best Boat Overall, Best Boat under 30 feet, and Best Boat over 30 feet. The Christmas Boat Parade is open to everyone in the Middle Keys with a lighted boat and a crew decked out for the holidays! “Be on a boat! Be in the parade! Be at the party! Remember this is a Charity Event; feel free to make a donation!”
In peaceful Marathon, there’s something for everyone who owns Florida Keys vacation homes. Take part in some of these eclectic festivals and experience the charm of this close-knit community while you create lasting island memories of your very own. Let us know when you’re ready to explore waterfront property.
Call 305-680-3272 now!
