Artwork owned by Margaritaville Enterprises. Used with permission.

Click to read the proclamation in full

Join us in Key West over Labor Day weekend for a thrilling lineup of events and activities. The festivities kick off on Friday, August 30, with brunch followed by a proclamation for Jimmy Buffett Day declared by the Florida State Legislature, an author’s talk by Ryan White, and a Cheeseburger Contest and tribute band welcome party on the beach.

Saturday, August 31, features a 5K run/walk, our epic Margarita bar crawl, sunset cruise, and a variety of evening entertainment. Sunday, September 1st begins with a luxury catamaran bubbles brunch, pre-parties at various locations, and the don't-miss Second Line memorial walking parade. The day culminates with a free outdoor "Party in the Park" featuring live music on the Friends of Bubba stage overlooking the ocean at the picturesque Truman Waterfront Park, where Will Kimbrough, co-writer of "Bubbles Up," will be one of the performers!

Finally, Monday, September 2, offers a sailing adventure on a schooner, a mustache contest, pool party and a farewell but not forgotten concert with The Nautical Wheelers: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett featuring Roger Bartlett. Each day brings dozens of diversions, including live music, walking & bicycle tours, rum tastings, meetups, club events, and much more.

Don't miss a moment of the fun—sign up to receive regular updates and order your souvenir parade pass to participate in Key West or virtually from home. Either way, join Just a Few Friends for a fabulous celebration of life and a toast for our Favorite Son.

SOUVENIR PARADE BADGES FOR CHARITY

Available in person starting Wednesday, Sept. 28

Gather on Duval street for a walking 'second line' parade on Sunday, Sept. 1 complete with a marching band of misfit musicians. The procession will party our way up Duval Street ending at the Truman Waterfront Park for free music on the Friends of Bubba stage and lots of festivities.

Online donations for badges have closed. However, you can still get a badge in person, while supplies last, at the Key West Legal Rum Distillery, located at 105 Simonton St, Key West FROM WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 UNTIL SOLD OUT. The Distillery is open 11 am to 6 pm and you should come to the back bar - not the main entrance. Badges are $30 each and can be purchased with check (made payable to CFFK) or credit card using a special QR code provided in the shop. All proceeds go to the charities.

Can you still contribute online and make a difference? Absolutely! Help us exceed our $30,000 goal by making a tax-deductible donation today. As a donor, you'll be added to our mailing list to receive regular updates and links to participate virtually if you can’t make it to Key West for this year’s celebration. All proceeds are managed by the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, are tax deductible and benefit the Bahamas Village Music Program for local youth and Reef Relief.

When you click the link, another window will open and your contribution will be processed directly by the Community Foundation. THIS IS NOT FOR A BADGE!

If you ordered a badge, it was mailed in a blue envelope on 8/2 or 8/6. Please be patient as mail from the Conch Republic may take up to 2 weeks. Send an email if you still are waiting or missing badges: EMAIL

Parade FAQ

Proud to be the 'cleanest parade in the world'! We implore all our participants to keep our green theme at the forefront and make sure all trash is put in the proper receptacles. Our friends from Reef Relief will be IN the parade pushing trash bins to help make sure none of our refuse ends up in the Refuge!

In true fan fashion, giving back to the community is the very core of the activities and events of this Memorial in Key West. Funds are managed by the nonprofit Community Foundation of the Florida Keys and distributed to the Bahama Village Music Program to inspire local young musicians and Reef Relief, stewards of our ocean environment. Even though a parade passes are no longer available online, you can still make a difference.

All money for parade passes and donations goes to the charities!

The Community Foundation of the Florida Keys is a charitable non-profit organization (EIN #65-0648968) and gifts are tax-deductible as permitted by law. To make an online donation, please use one of the buttons. To make a donation by check, mail or deliver your check payable to Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, 300 Southard St., Suite 201, Key West, FL 33040. Note the gift is for a specific fund. For instructions on how to make a gift by wire transfer or a gift of stock, cryptocurrency or other property, please contact us at (305) 292-1502 or cffk@cffk.org.

"If life gives you limes, make margaritas!"

- Jimmy Buffett

WHAT TO EXPECT

A full weekend of events...

We've planned an exciting four-day weekend for Labor Day, filled with a variety of events and activities celebrating our beloved son. From delicious food events and lively bar crawls to unforgettable live music and serene moments by the ocean, there's something for everyone. Don’t miss our signature second line parade and the free music performances. Join us for a weekend of memorable experiences you won't want to miss!

August 29 - Sept 2, 2024

What to Expect

FRIDAY SCHEDULE

8 AM Plogging the Keys

9 AM Bloody Mary Brunch

11 AM JB Day State Proclamation

noon Walking Tour

2 PM Author Lecture: Ryan White

4 PM Beach Party/Tribute Concert

8 PM Outdoor Movie: Tales from MargaritaVision

SATURDAY SCHEDULE

8 AM 5K Run/Walk

8 AM Bottomless Bubbles

9:30 AM Trop Rock Bike Tour

10 AM Walking Tour

10 AM A1A Dedication/Surfer Paddle

11 AM 801 Bar Beach Party

2 PM Margarita Bar Crawl

3 PM Brewfest

4 PM Cayman performs Poolside

6:30 PM Sailor Sunset Cruise

8 PM Blue Heaven Rendezvous

8 PM Outdoor Movie: Beach Bum

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

9:30 AM Trop Rock Bike Tour

10 AM Walking Tour

10 AM Bubbles Brunch

11 AM BBQ Rib Battle

1 PM Pool Party @ the Marker

4 PM Second Line Parade

6 PM Friends of Bubba Stage

6 PM Party in the Park

9 PM Official After Party

MONDAY SCHEDULE

10 AM Walking Tour

10 AM Tin Cup Sailing Adventure

2 PM Mustache Contest

5 PM Seafood Boil

7 PM Sunset Pier Concert

FULL SCHEDULE CLICK HERE

THE STORE IS OPEN!

WAYS YOUR BUSINESS CAN PARTICIPATE

Vendors wanted for the Sunday festival at the Truman Waterfront Park. Set up will start at 2pm with the event at 5 pm and most parade participants arriving around 6 pm. Vending will conclude at 10 pm. Most vendors will be able to park behind their booth making setup and teardown a breeze! Vendors are required to provide everything they need including canopies, weights, tables, etc. There is no electricity available (quiet generators permitted) and very limited water access. Set up is on hard concrete on the mole at Truman Waterfront overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. 10x10 space - $145 10x20 space - $275 nonprofit (no sales) - free Food Trucks - $350 (limited amount and exclusives available) Key West Artisan/Farmers Market vendors will receive a 20% discount as will local businesses on the rate. Any type of vendor is welcome to apply except alcohol and delta 8 . The application is only online here ==> https://www.eventeny.com/events/its-5-oclock-key-west-10775/

Great events need great support! Putting on a free event takes a lot of hard work and financial input and we can't do it without the help of our civic minded businesses. Keep in mind, every dollar contributed by guests for the parade pass go directly to the non profit Community Foundation for distribution to the Bahamas Village Music Program and Reef Relief so we need your dollars to support the event infrustructure! Parade sponsor: $2500 (4 available) Music sponsor: $1000 (5 available) Banner sponsor: $500 (8 available) Support sponsor: $250 In-kind contributions also appreciated. Call Jill for a custom created sponsorship that meets your return on investment goals! 305-731-5780

Would your business or organization be interested in hosting a themed event or music performance? Free or ticketed, there are opportunities to get on the official roster and be a part of this historic event. In addition, we'll be reaching out to a number of businesses to custom create various activities from fun meals to sunset sails, tours, lectures and performances by local musicians. Please email jill@dailyplan-it.net to start a dialog.

Meet The Event Team

Paul Menta

Chef, kiteboarder, distiller and community advocate instrumental behind the celebration of life second line parade in Key West organized in just 16 hours after Jimmy's passing. Paul is set to make our favorite son's memory live on, and raise funds for important charities, through the annual Just a Few Friends Key West. Paul and his wife Crystal are owner of Key West First Legal Rum Company.

Jill & Sean

The Daily Plan-it team has been producing events in Key West for almost 15 years and worked with Paul to manage the city's 200th anniversary events and drone show. They own and operate the Truman Waterfront Farmers Market and Key West Artisan Market. The pair were lucky to score tickets to both Jimmy's last concert here in Key West and honored to be tapped as a part of this celebration

Jordan Upchurch

Jordan is a marketing and social media guru who stepped up to work with Paul on the second line celebration of life parade, as Jimmy's passing touched him deeply. He owns It's Social Time Somewhere specializing in marketing and social media for small businesses & start-ups. He's active in the community and a bright light for various issues and causes that affect the Keys.