KEY WEST, Florida Keys — The U.S. Navy’s renowned Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron is to showcase its members’ dynamic flying skills Saturday and Sunday, April 10-11, during the Southernmost Air Spectacular presented by Naval Air Station Key West.

Admission is free to the air show, scheduled to take place at NAS West’s Boca Chica Field, located at mile marker 8 on U.S. Highway 1 just north of Key West. Gates are to open at 9 a.m. both days, with action scheduled to continue until 5 p.m.

The legendary Blue Angels are internationally recognized for their superb formation flying. The squadron, whose winter home was NAS Key West in the 1960s, is to perform maneuvers in F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft beginning at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Other planned air show highlights include an F-18/EF Superhornet demonstration by the Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-106 “Gladiators,” an F-5N Tiger Diamond flyby by the Fighter Composite Squadron VFC-111 “Sundowners” and performances by the 101st Airborne “Screaming Eagles” Parachute Demonstration Team and U.S. Air Force Viper West F-16 Demonstration Team.

The show also is to feature daring civilian aerobatic exhibitions including an aerial “pirate” act, displays of military and vintage aircraft, a kids’ zone and concessions.

The Blue Angels’ history dates back to the end of World War II, when Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Chester W. Nimitz ordered the formation of a flight demonstration team to showcase naval aviation. The Blue Angels performed their first flight demonstration in June 1946, and an estimated 15 million spectators view their shows each year.

For more information about the air show, visit www.wingsoverkeywest.net.

For lodging information in Key West, call 1-800-LAST-KEY (800-527-8539) or visit the Keys Web site at www.fla-keys.com.

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ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys — Kiteboarders from around the United States are set to kick it into high gear as they skim and slide during the Islamorada Invitational ’10 set for March 25-29 at Whale Harbor Marina, mile marker 83.5 in Islamorada.

Dubbed the “II ’10” (“Two Ten”) and hosted by Islamorada’s Seven Sports, a part of Islamorada Watersports Co., the four-day festival attracts pro, amateur and everyday thrill-seekers of all ages who want to participate simply for the love of the sport and the rush of competition.

Newbies to kiteboarding as well as festival spectators have discovered that kiteboarding and paddle boarding are truly unique, family-friendly ways to experience the waters surrounding the Florida Keys.

Brad Lange of Seven Sports said the II ’10 is open to all competitors and spectators are encouraged to attend. The higher the winds, the greater the kite activities.

“If it’s blowing ‘east 20 [mph],’ that’s when it’s all going to be jamming —we’ll have more kites in the air, races and events happening. So, the windier, the better,” Lange said.

Kiteboarding events include a boarder cross, kite race, freestyle competition, park competition, big air and kite loop competition and an ongoing Overall Impression best-photo contest for interested photographers.

First-timers and those wanting to hone their kite skills can take advantage of kiteboarding lessons offered during the action-filled event.

New to the II ’10 is paddle boarding, or paddle surfing, a sport best suited to light- or no-wind situations. Short track, team relay and circumnavigation races around Matecumbe Key are planned for II ’10 participants.

Paddling demonstrations, fun paddles and group paddling excursions are to be offered for event spectators who want to learn the eco- and fitness-friendly sport.

Riders’ meetings are scheduled daily, usually at 9 a.m., with all ’boarding action to start by 10 a.m., weather permitting.

Food, beverages, music and entertainment are planned during day and evening hours.

Cost for four days of event access is expected to be $50 per participant, and includes a rider’s jersey shirt, watersports and beach activities such as a sunset pig roast and other parties.

Admission to watch kite and paddling competitions is free. Tickets to the beachside pig roast are $10 per person.

For more information, visit the Seven Sports Web site at www.sevensports.com, e-mail shop@sevensports.com or call 305-853-KITE (5483).

To find out about area accommodations, call the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce at 305-664-4503 or 800-322-5397, or visit the Web site of the Florida Keys & Key West at www.fla-keys.com.

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Spencer Slate, owner of the Atlantis Dive Shop in Key Largo, Fla., positions a colored, hard-boiled egg on a dormant rock in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Saturday, April 10, 2004. Slate donned a rabbit costume and positioned the eggs for an underwater Easter egg hunt for 16 of his customers. (AP Photo/Florida Keys News Bureau, Bob Care)

KEY LARGO, Florida Keys — Divers visiting the Florida Keys around the Easter holiday are likely to trade in their “tank-head” personas for one more suitable to the season: “egghead.”

This year marks the 10th annual — and unusual — Underwater Easter Egg Hunt, set for Sunday, April 4, in the warm, clear waters off Key Largo.

The hunt is hosted by Captain Spencer Slate of Atlantis Dive Center, well known for his sensational “creature feature” dive excursions. The event unfolds as Slate dons an extra-large bunny suit and dive gear to hide brightly colored Easter eggs beneath the waves for eager bounty hunters to find.

Divers and snorkelers are to check in at 8 a.m. at the Atlantis dive shop, located at mile marker 106.5 oceanside. Charter fees are to be specially priced at $85 per certified diver, including tanks and weights,  $30 per adult snorkeler and $20 for children including gear. Up to three boats are scheduled to depart the Atlantis dock at 8:30 a.m.

Once participants are aboard, the Atlantis boats head out to a secret location on one of the Keys’ pristine reefs to allow revelers to seek the sunken hard-boiled treasures during the two-tank trip.

All Easter egg hunters win a prize, with a dive trip for two awaiting the diver who finds a specially colored egg. Real eggs and nontoxic colorings are used to prevent any negative ecological impact.

The fundraiser supports Kids In Special Situations, which provides gifts and holiday cheer to the area’s needy children.

For reservations, contact Captain Slate’s Atlantis Dive Center at 800-331-3483 or 305-451-3020, or visit www.captainslate.com.

To find out about area accommodations, call the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce at 305-451-4747 or 800-822-1088, or visit the Florida Keys & Key West Web site at www.fla-keys.com.

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ResortQuest Treasure Hunters Discover Nearly $30,000 in Prizes at Contest’s Halfway Mark
Winners get to experience luxury vacations for less than $5

FORT WALTON BEACH, FLA. (March 8, 2010) — Midway through an 11-week $1-a-day giveaway promotion, ResortQuest has distributed $29,384.61 worth of luxury ski accommodations in total winnings to savvy and persistent treasure hunters from Ocala, Fla., to Broken Arrow, Okla.

Each week the ResortQuest Vacation Treasure Hunt features a different ResortQuest rental property — a condo, vacation home or hotel suite — at a ski destination in Aspen, Breckenridge/Keystone or Steamboat, Colo.; Park City, Utah, or Sun Valley, Idaho. The lucky winner is entitled to a vacation stay at the economical cost of $1 per day.

During the past five weeks avid hunters have found themselves scouring ResortQuest’s Web site for clues, while others chalked it up to pure chance.

Mary B. of Decatur, Ga., is the latest winner of ResortQuest’s online Vacation Treasure Hunt. On Tuesday, March 2, she won a five-night stay for $1 a day at <> #202 in Breckenridge, Colo.— a prize valued at nearly $2,400.

“I still can’t believe I won,” said Mary. “My three kids were jumping up and down wanting to know what happened and my husband was equally shocked. It was very exciting.”

As a full-time mom and part-time bookkeeper, Mary’s day-to-day schedule is full. Determined to win the Vacation Treasure Hunt, she put a reminder on her weekly calendar and set the kitchen timer to 7:50 p.m. every Tuesday to remind her to go to the computer and wait for the first clue.

“I once won a pair of tickets in a raffle, but I can’t even remember what they were to,” said Mary. “This, however, I will never forget.”

Mary plans on making her trip to Breckenridge a fun-filled family getaway with her husband and three sons.

BlueSky Breckenridge #202 is a platinum-rated condominium at the newest luxury resort in Breckenridge. With only 52 residences, this boutique resort is a luxurious and intimate property complete with quality furnishings and extraordinary views of the surrounding mountainous region. The unit also features a gourmet-style kitchen, fireplace with a stone hearth and private furnished balcony.

Other winners stretch across the nation:
Jeremy F. won a five-night stay at Aspen Lodge #4204 at Trappeur’s Crossing Resort in Steamboat Springs, Colo. — a $3,500 value.

Chelsea B. of Ocala, Fla., won five nights at the gold-rated Resort Plaza in Park City, Utah — a prize valued at $5,000.

Debra O. of Broken Arrow, Okla., won a five-night stay in the Royal King Suite #2208 at The Inn at Aspen in Aspen, Colo. — a prize valued at $2,200.

Jim H. of Carefree, Ariz., won a five-night stay for $1 a day at the platinum-rated River Ridge Townhomes in Sun Valley, Idaho — a prize valued at $4,500.

Carlyle R. of Acworth, Ga., won a five-night stay at Mont Cervin Plaza #23 in Park City, Utah — a prize valued at $6,300.

ResortQuest Vacation Treasure Hunt is held every week until March 30. The next contest — featuring a five-night stay April 10 through April 15 — starts Tuesday, March 9, at 8 p.m. EST.

To participate in the contest, treasure hunters navigate through ResortQuest’s ski-destination Web sites to locate a hidden treasure map icon. The treasure map reveals the toll-free number and promotion code needed to call and claim the prize. The Web site offers clues to help treasure hunters find the location of the map. New clues are continually added until someone finds the map and calls to claim the treasure.

To learn more about contest rules and how to participate in ResortQuest’s Vacation Treasure Hunt, visit www.VacationTreasureHunt.com.

For more information about ResortQuest, contact Cheryl Spezia at 850-362-4008 or toll-free at 800-862-4853.

Media Contact: Buck Banks, NewmanPR, 305-461-3300; buck@newmanpr.com

Headquartered in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., ResortQuest is the largest marketer and management company of vacation condominiums and home rentals in the nation, with a portfolio of nearly 10,000 U.S. vacation rental properties. With partner affiliates in North America and Europe, ResortQuest offers more than 100,000 vacation rental options in over 140 destinations worldwide.
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KEY WEST, Florida Keys — The southernmost island chain’s vibrant marine environment is to be celebrated with live music, artistry, kids’ activities, educational exhibits and more during the Florida Keys Ocean Festival, set for noon to sunset Saturday, March 27.

The event takes place at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, located on Key West’s Truman Waterfront past the end of Southard Street. The 6,400-square-foot facility, the visitor center for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, showcases the region’s unique ecosystem including the living coral reef that parallels the island chain.

Part of the proceeds from the Ocean Festival, a facet of Mote Marine Laboratory’s 55th anniversary year, is to support coral reef restoration and research. A living reef exhibit created by Florida-based Mote Marine is one of the highlights of the eco-discovery center.

Attendees at the lively daylong festival can enjoy food and beverages, explore Mote’s mobile aquarium and touch tanks, view the work of marine artists and listen to live music by regional favorites Cory Heydon, Chris Cook and Scott Kirby. Renowned Nashville singer-songwriter James Slater is slated to make a special appearance.

In addition, a fishing clinic for kids is planned, with free rods and reels awaiting the first 25 youngsters to register.

Informative exhibits are to spotlight the Keys’ environmental efforts, with scheduled exhibitors including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Key Deer Refuge, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Event admission and parking are free. For more information, visit www.keysoceanfest.org.

For lodging information in Key West, contact the Key West Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-LAST-KEY (800-527-8539) or visit the Keys Web site at www.fla-keys.com.

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BIG PINE KEY, Florida Keys — Contemporary and traditional offerings and original tunes by Florida Keys performing songwriters are to highlight the musical menu during the Island Grass Music Fest, set for 1-6 p.m. Sunday, March 28.

The musical afternoon benefits Habitat for Humanity of Key West and the Lower Florida Keys. The event is to take place at Habitat for Humanity’s Big Pine Key headquarters, mile marker 30.5 on U.S. Highway 1.

The entertainment lineup features a host of the seasoned performers whose talents enrich the Florida Keys music scene — among them local legend Terry Cassidy, Howard Livingston & Mile Marker 24, Pat McCune, the Doerfel Family, Joe Mama and C.W. Colt.

Attendees also can enjoy sandwiches from the Lower Keys’ popular eatery Bobalu’s, take their chances at 50/50 drawings and bid on items at a silent auction to benefit Habitat for Humanity.

For more information, visit www.habitatlowerkeys.org.

For information about accommodations in the Lower Florida Keys, contact the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce at 305-872-2411 or 800-872-3722, or visit the Florida Keys Web site at www.fla-keys.com.

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ProChile Taking Positive Message to Cruise Shipping Miami 2010
Delegation to emphasize public-private efforts post-earthquake

MIAMI (March 5, 2010) — ProChile, the country’s trade organization, is leading a delegation of Chilean businesses, government agencies and educational organizations to attend Cruise Shipping Miami 2010, the world’s largest annual meeting of the cruise industry. The trade group is seeking to achieve an ambitious communications program at the four-day conference and three-day exhibition through participation in several high-profile venues.
“We are bringing a positive message to Miami in the wake of the earthquakes in Chile,” said Maria Antonieta Jara, director general for international economic relations for Prochile. “We are here to say we are ready and able to conduct business and that our government is working closely with business and industry leaders to recover from the disaster.”
The group is planning to participate in the CSM Focus On sessions Monday, March 15, which provides an opportunity to give a presentation to delegates, exhibitors, journalists and visitors. ProChile also is holding a press conference Wednesday, March 17, at 1 p.m., followed by a wine hour at the booth. On Thursday, March 18, the delegation is presenting a seminar on Chile’s tourism and cruise infrastructure at booth 1715 on the trade show floor.
Cruise Shipping Miami annually draws nearly 900 exhibiting companies and more than 11,000 participants from over 100 countries around the world. The conference sessions focus on issues currently facing the industry, while the exhibition features destinations, seaports, shipbuilders and a wide range of suppliers to the cruise lines.
Due to the earthquake and aftershocks, the lineup of participants in the ProChile delegation has not been finalized. As information becomes available, this statement will be updated.
For information about the ProChile delegation at Cruise Shipping Miami 2010, contact Maite Castañeda at the trade mission’s Miami office at 305-374-0697.

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KEY WEST, Florida Keys — For decades Key West has been renowned for the creativity of its artists, and its culinary artists are no exception. From 6-9 p.m. Monday, April 19, the island city’s top chefs are to display their prowess in a palate-pleasing feast called Taste of Key West.

Now in its 15th year, the showcase of culinary artistry features “tastes” from more than 50 local restaurants. To complement the cuisine, fine wines from 100 vineyards and wineries are to be provided by Republic National Distributing Co.

The one-night open-air event benefits the Florida Keys’ AIDS Help Inc., and takes place at the Truman Waterfront, located at the end of Southard Street past Truman Annex.

Admission to Taste of Key West is free. Attendees purchase food and wine tickets for $1 apiece, and commemorative wine glasses for $6, then “spend” their tickets on beverages and delicacies. Each sample costs between three and eight tickets.

Free parking is to be available at the Truman Waterfront. Free shuttle service between selected Key West locations and the waterfront is to be provided every 30 minutes by Old Town Trolley. Plans call for the last trolley to leave the waterfront at 9 p.m.

For more information including Taste of Key West trolley stops, call AIDS Help at 305-296-6196 or visit www.aidshelp.cc.

For lodging information in Key West, call 1-800-LAST-KEY (800-527-8539) or visit the Keys Web site at www.fla-keys.com.

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ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys — The annual Bay Jam music festival is slated for Saturday, March 20, at the TIB Bank of the Keys Amphitheater at Founders Park, mile marker 87 bayside on Plantation Key. Concertgoers can revel in the sounds of an eclectic range of musicians from midday through sunset and into the night from the hammocklike performance center set against the aqua waters of Florida Bay.

A Bay Jam–packed talent lineup includes nationally renowned musicians and favorite regional bands. Audiences can boogie to the Cajun-flavored swamp rock of Raiford Starke, Canada’s award–winning blues artist Michael Pickett, Key Largo’s soulful favorite Jimmy Hawkins, soloists Micah and Scott Youngberg, the roots, reggae and groove metal of 20 WT, punk and funk of Orlando’s Junky Rush, Sunny Got Money’s island electronica as well as the father-and-son duo David and Nyan Feder, slated to play in their popular hillbilly flamenco style.

Attendees can join the imaginary world of Barefoot Key and its cast of colorful Keys characters during “The Adventures of Humphrey the Manatee,” a two-act musical play that premieres during this year’s event.

“Humphrey the Manatee,” conceived and scripted by Islamorada musician Micah, unfolds on the docks of Barefoot Key, a close approximation of Islamorada. The experiences of this underwater giant are woven with spice and wit together with an old Keys critter, Lemme Fishmore, an inquisitive visiting sport fisherman named Henry Everyday, along with Wade and Shelly Waters, a friendly island couple who are on a mission to adopt a manatee. Their interest in the whereabouts of Humphrey builds to a climactic finish that delivers to young and old alike an all-important message: “Save the Manatee.”

Bay Jam’s festivities also include food and beverage vendors offering cool drinks and island edibles, and festival-goers can enjoy a swim at the bayfront beach. A highlight each year is an art show featuring works by local high school students; proceeds benefit the students through art and music scholarships.

Doors open at 11 a.m. and Bay Jam is to continue until 9 p.m. Admission is $10 per adult, with kids age 12 and under admitted free. Student admission is $5.

For more information, contact Island Community Entertainment at 305-394-2765, visit www.keysice.com or e-mail info@keysice.com.

To find out about area accommodations, call the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce at 305-664-4503 or 800-322-5397, or visit the Florida Keys & Key West Web site at

www.fla-keys.com.

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FLORIDA KEYS — Officially Earth Day is celebrated April 22, but in the Florida Keys, surrounded by a national marine sanctuary and paralleled by the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef, a variety of events take place leading up to the planet-wide celebration.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, mile marker (MM) 102.5 oceanside in Key Largo, celebrates by hosting a native plant day Saturday, March 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attractions include guest speakers, informational booths, activities for children, guided tours and plant giveaways. Mention “native plant” or Earth Day at the park entrance for free admission. For information or accessibility needs, call 305-451-1202.

One of the Keys’ biggest Earth Day celebrations is set for Saturday, April 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bahia Honda State Park, MM 36.8. Park entry is free, and attractions include live music, a sand sculpture contest, fish printing, puppet shows and more than 20 environmental education booths. For information, call the Sand and Sea Nature Center at 305-872-9807.

Dolphin Research Center, MM 59 bayside on Grassy Key, plans to host its annual Ocean Celebration Day Thursday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Geared toward school-age children, the event features dolphin behavior demonstrations, environmental exhibits and puppet shows. General admission is $19.50 for adults, $16.50 for senior citizens and $13.50 for children 4 to 12. For information, call 305-289-1121.

Cheeca Lodge and Spa, MM 81.8 oceanside in Islamorada, is hosting its annual Earth Day Celebration from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 24. Highlights include a beach sand sculpture event where “sculptors” spell out an environmental message in gigantic letters that are visible from the air. The schedule offers a full day of beachfront activities, environmental education exhibits, live music and a beachfront barbecue grill. Proceeds from the family-friendly event are to benefit the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center. For information, call 305-517-4411.

For more Florida Keys information, including accommodations and a complete event calendar, visit the Florida Keys & Key West Web site at www.fla-keys.com.

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