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Conch Shell Virtuosos Compete for Trophies at this Annual Event
Enthusiastic contestants, from children to seniors, polish their conch shells, pucker up, and demonstrate their shell-blowing talents. This Annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest, sponsored by the Old Island Restoration Foundation, celebrates the historic importance of the conch in the Keys, where the far-reaching sounds from conch shells were used by the Calusa Indians for communication, by sailors as fog horns, and by early Key Westers to signal salvagers that a sinking ship was spotted offshore. The conch itself, a sturdy sea mollusk, is deeply entwined in Key West’s heritage and tradition. As well as savoring conch meat in fritters and chowder, native-born islanders proudly call themselves Conchs. Their island home is known as the Conch Republic.
The contest receives wide national and international media coverage. |
The 46th Annual Conch Shell Blowing contest, sometimes called the "Conch Honk," will be held March 8th, 2008 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Ocean Key Resort & Spa’s Sunset Pier, Zero Duval Street, Key West. There is no cost to enter or to compete, and no experience is necessary. Conch shells will be available for purchase for those who do not have their own.
Entrants are judged on the quality, duration
and loudness, and novelty of the sound they produced. Mercifully,
for most contestants, musical ability is not a requirement in the
annual “conch honk.” The winners take home trophies;
ribbons are awarded to those who take second place.
The afternoon festivities typically include demonstrations of the intricacies of this
ancient and noble art, and conch shells are available for contestants
to purchase. Entertainment is often provided by Auwina Weed, widely
acclaimed virtuoso on the conch shell, who for many years has performed
such difficult numbers as the “Grand March from Aida” for
the assembled crowd.