A must-see for Key West visitors is the nightly Sunset
Celebration held at Mallory Square. The Square is the docking area for visiting
cruise ships. Daily the ships stop and drop off their passengers for a day of
fun in Key West. There is one important rule for the huge ships: they must be gone before sunset so the sunset view
is not blocked. I read somewhere that there is a fine that cruise captains must
pay if they’re not gone before the nightly festivities begin.
Every evening performers and artists come early to secure
their space on the Square. There is no charge, but limited space has made the
city hold a daily “lottery” to see which performers and artists can set up for
the evening.
I’ve witnessed some spectacular performers, and also some
that, shall we say, could use more practice? During my visits, there have been
gymnasts, bagpipe players, tightrope-walking dogs, cats jumping through flaming
hoops, escape artists, singers, and even a one-man band.
Do they do this just for fun, or to give you something to do
in the evening? Nah! You don’t have to look too closely to see the
strategically placed tip buckets. That’s OK with me; I don’t mind leaving a couple
of bucks for those who offer entertainment for the evening.
Artists usually set up around the perimeter of the Square to
sell their work. Jewelry, seashells, photographs, paintings, and sometimes CDs
and books seem to be the regular items for sale.
People gather, it seems by the hundreds, but the main
attraction is the sun lowering itself slowly into the gulf. Many discuss, but
few have seen the spectacular “Green Flash” as the last edge of the sun
disappears from sight. The atmospheric conditions must be just right for this
elusive occurrence.
When you visit Key West, be sure to put the Sunset
Celebration on your to-do list. Just be sure to bring several “ones” with you.
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