KEY WEST, Florida Keys — The offbeat island of Key West is known for its year-round subtropical weather, but temperatures are predicted to rise dramatically Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 16-19. The cause is the annual Tropical Heat celebration, an adventurous long weekend of all-male all-adult fun.
Tropical Heat offers four days of sizzling happenings in the island city whose openness and respect for diversity have made it a world-renowned gay vacation destination. The festival’s intriguingly decadent events range from drag shows to pool parties to late-night gatherings at island clubs.
The heat wave begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, with a steamy kick-off party at Big Ruby’s Resort, 409 Appelrouth Lane, followed by a drag show and dance party at Aqua Nightclub, 711 Duval St.
Festival attendees can take the plunge Friday into an afternoon clothing-optional pool party at the Bourbon St. Pub, 724 Duval St.; compete for “best dressed” at a tropical toga get-together at Equator Resort, 818 Fleming St., and turn up the heat at a late-night dungeon party at Saloon One, 504 Petronia St.
Saturday’s highlights are to include a clothing-optional pool party at Island House, 1129 Fleming St. Then, proving that Key West heats up when the sun goes down, a late-night bash is planned at the Bourbon St. Pub.
The following day, revelers can sun and swim at Island House before ending the festival with a lively Key West tradition: gay bingo at the 801 Bourbon Bar, 801 Duval St.
“Pay & Play” Tropical Heat admission passes are available for $110 per person in advance at www.tropicalheatkw.com or at the kick-off party. Alternatively, attendees can pay individual event admissions.
INFO:
Event information: www.tropicalheatkw.com
Key West visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/gay or www.gaykeywestfl.com
Social: facebook.com/floridakeysandkeywest · twitter.com/thefloridakeys · youtube.com/FloridaKeysTV
Comments