Posted Thursday, March 10, 2005
43rd Annual "Conch Honk" Takes Place Saturday, March 19
Pucker up and get ready to blow your conch!!
On Saturday, March 19, enthusiastic contestants, from toddlers to seniors, will polish their conch shells, pucker up, and demonstrate their shell-blowing talents on center stage of Ocean Key House’s Sunset Pier, Zero Duval Street, beginning at 1:30.
This 43rd 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 traditions. Conch meat is featured in many dishes, such as fritters and chowder, and native-born islanders proudly call themselves Conchs. Their island home is known as the Conch Republic.
A distinguished panel of judges, including city commissioners Merili McCoy and Tom Oosterhoudt and former city commissioner Sally Lewis, will bring years of experience and discriminating musical taste to the daunting task of determining the trophy winners in several age categories: under 5 years, 6 to 11, 12 to 17, over 18 solo, and over 18 group. Entrants are judged on the quality, duration and loudness, and novelty of the sound they produce. Mercifully, for most contestants, musical ability is not a requirement in the annual “conch honk.”
There will be demonstrations of the intricacies of this ancient and noble art, and conch horns will be available for contestants who do not have their own. Entertainment will be provided by Auwina Weed, widely acclaimed virtuoso on the conch shell, who will perform such difficult numbers as the “Grand March from Aida.”
Gerry Timlin will once again emcee this annual event, which will receive national media coverage. There are no entry or admission fees. Contestants may register for the contest at the Hospitality House on Mallory Square from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday or at the event itself. For information, call Fran Marchbank at 294-9501.
