A Key Lime festival in Key West, Florida? That sounds about right! Check out this one-of-a-kind celebration of the delicious dessert while enjoying the warmth of the Florida sun and searching for the best Key Lime Pie. In case you didn’t know, Key Lime Pie is made of tart limes, condensed milk, egg yolks, and Key lime juice filled in a savory graham cracker crust with whipped cream on top. This citrus delight is perfect any time of the year but remains a summer favorite for residents of Key West. While planning to attend the Key Lime Festival, stay with us at our Key West vacation rentals so you can get close to the action!
The Key Lime Pie festivities are only a five-minute drive away from our cozy Key West vacation rentals, so you’ll want to have direct access to this event.
Importance of Key Lime Pie in Key West
The Key Lime Festival is beloved in Key West as “America’s Favorite Citrus Celebration.” In the Florida Keys, the locals like sharing what makes the islands unique. For the Keys, it’s the birthplace of key lime pie! According to legend, the key lime pie originated in Key West in the late 1800s and became an instant hit. By 2006, key lime pie became designated as Florida’s official state pie. So, it’s no wonder that Floridians would host a festival for this delicious dessert!
Enjoy five days of culinary events of fun twists on key lime pie, like the Key Lime Cocktail Sip & Stroll and the Key Lime Pie Hop. The festival also has exclusive culinary events for VIP Key Lime lovers! For a pie that means so much to locals and fascinates visitors, there are plenty of reasons to attend. Get to know the locals and shop for more than just pie, like Key Lime Pie products from soaps to cookies!
The Key Lime Pie Festival
The Key Lime Pie Festival kicks off with a cookbook signing of “The Key West Key Lime Pie Cookbook” with author and festival co-founder David Sloan. Attendees gather at the Curry Mansion Inn, whose kitchen is the birthplace of the pie, to get a signed book at the event topped off with a champagne reception.
Next, check out the popular Key Lime Pie Drop, where contestants craft quirky contraptions to protect their mini key lime pie from damage before dropping it off at the Key West Lighthouse!
After the drop, check out the Key Lime Vendor Village for all sorts of good food and cool items to pick up. If your idea of fun is sipping a drink and eating a slice of key lime pie while strolling through one of the best Key West events, this festival is the perfect fit! During your visit, get educated about key lime pie in a special cooking class where you learn how to bake your own pie with a fantastic age-old recipe. But the fun doesn’t stop there! There are plenty more Key West activities and attractions to participate in during the Key Lime Festival.
Key Lime Festival Events
The festival also features a scavenger hunt, beach brunch, and a key lime pie eating contest! Join the first annual Chive Beats & Brunch Celebration at First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery. You’ll enjoy a wide selection of house brews, Bloody Marys, mimosas, and key lime-inspired brunch stations to get your share of flavor.
In the pie-eating contest, contestants must devour a nine-inch key lime pie as quickly as they can with no hands. Topped with a heaping amount of whipped cream, the key lime pie must be eaten entirely. Attendees get into this event for free and love cheering on the brave contestants! While enjoying the festival events, swing by the tastings of locally distilled key lime rum and join in on the annual Key Lime Pie Hop. This delectable event takes attendees on a walk to sample five variations of key lime pie. You can join the Living The Key Lime Life Dinner, a four-course meal featuring the best tastes of Key West. Prepped by a professional chef and culinary team, you’ll get the most authentic dishes favored by locals.
For a free event, check out Atmosphere TV’s Cooldown Lounge to get out of the heat for a little while. Enjoy the air-conditioning and an ice-cold drink while watching Atmosphere TV for relaxing vibes after eating your fair share of key lime pie. Book your reservation for the Key Lime Festival…Not Just For Pie, a tasting event and chef’s presentation showcasing alternative uses for the beloved key lime flavor! Sample a mouthwatering assortment of creative spins on key lime and enjoy a complimentary drink. If you don’t know where key limes come from, check out the Key Lime Tree Master Class. You’ll learn how to care for your own key lime tree that you can bring back home! It’s the perfect Key West souvenir that will benefit you for years to come.
For a luxurious setting, join the Key Lime Dewey Deck Dinner and Wine Pairing. Taste a five-course meal inspired by what else but key limes! Enjoy this wine-pairing dinner on La Mer & Dewey Deck.
Want to take a slice of Key West with you? Of course, you do! Get a frozen key lime pie at Kermit’s Key Lime Pie Shoppe for the Frozen Pie Pick-Up and Ship. Because of its popularity, you must call early to reserve your pie!
Patriotic events coincide with the Key Lime Festival, so celebrate Independence Day during your time at the festival. Join in on events like the 4th of July Firecracker 5k, Dante’s 4th of July Pool Party, and the Patriotic Dinner Under the Fireworks. So, if you’re searching for things to do in Key West this summer, look no further than this ultimate sweet tooth festival!
How to Take Part
To participate in the Key Lime Festival, Key West, your first step is to stay nearby so you can be close to the festival. Staying with us at our Key West rentals is vital to getting the best out of the Key Lime Festival! Next, getting tickets to the festival is required to experience these unique events you won’t find anywhere else. Some events need registered participants, so check out the 2023 schedule for a full glimpse of what’s to come!
Plan Your Key West Vacation
Searching for Key Lime Festival Florida Keys? Look no further! Celebrate the Fourth of July with a zesty twist at the Key Lime Festival in the Florida Keys. Browse our available waterfront Key West rentals and book your stay today!
Stay with Key West Vacation Homes
Call us at Key West Vacation Homes today to enjoy our comfortable and luxurious Key West vacation rentals. Find your go-to beach getaway at our beautiful rental homes, condos, and cottages. Ranging from one to six bedrooms, spacious indoor areas, fully equipped kitchens, and high-speed internet, you’ll have everything you need to enjoy your stay. Other conveniences include being in a central location to the excitement of various Key West attractions, on-site check-ins, private pools, outdoor showers, and some pet-friendly rentals.
With plenty of activities in the “Old Town” area of the Key West Historic District, you’ll enjoy exploring the old-time architecture, shops, and sprawling beach scene. Visitors adore the pastel-colored homes of Key West, as well as the fresh Key West restaurants and vibrant nightlife. Book today with our friendly staff, who can’t wait to get your family settled into our Key West rentals to begin the vacation of a lifetime!
