| On Saturday we attended the Key West Drag Racing | | | | he marched up to a Navy Official and surrendered the |
| event on Duval street. It kicks off a week long | | | | war, demanding one Billion dollars in financial aid for the |
| independence celebration. The story goes like this... | | | | Conch Republic. They did not get a billion dollars, but |
| In 1982 The United States set up a road blockade on | | | | they did get the blockade removed. |
| U.S. Highway 1 just south of Florida city entering the | | | | Though the one minute war is long past and the keys |
| keys, to prevent illegal immigrants from getting to the | | | | are part of the US they also remain The Conch |
| mainland of Florida. As a result, citizens of the keys | | | | Republic as well, having duel citizenship in the keys and |
| were forced to stop at this blockade and prove their | | | | on the mainland. In fact, they have Conch Republic |
| citizenship before traveling onto the mainland. Being US | | | | passports which are accepted in many countries. |
| citizens, they felt this was an outrage and a violation of | | | | So, with that said, there is an annual celebration |
| their rights. This also hurt the tourism industry in the | | | | commemorating the brave efforts of the Conch |
| keys, as it slowed traffic significantly on the only road | | | | Republic, and their independence. The Key West Drag |
| to and from the keys to mainland Florida. | | | | Races are drag races as only Key West can have |
| On April 23rd 1982, Mayor Wardlow went to court in | | | | them. |
| Miami to convince the US to remove the blockade. He | | | | Drag Queens decked out in their finest, compete on an |
| was unsuccessful. As court let out, and Wardlow | | | | obstacle course on Duval Street, as hundreds of |
| made his way down the steps, in front of a crowd | | | | onlookers cheer them on. The first event we |
| and media cameras he declared that if residents of | | | | witnessed was a lipsync dance performance by each |
| the keys were not going to be treated as US citizens, | | | | of the contestants, which we can describe with one |
| then they would no longer be US citizens, they would | | | | word... FABULOUS! |
| secede from the Union and become their own nation. | | | | Following the performances, the obstacle races |
| At noon the next day, the people gathered at Mallory | | | | resume, consisting of sweat, high heels, lipstick, big hair, |
| Square in Key West as Mayor (and now Prime | | | | a military style tire obstacle, road cones, shopping carts, |
| Minister) Wardlow gave a speech of independence to | | | | a dream of victory, and lots of cheering and people |
| the newly seceded CONCH REPUBLIC. He then | | | | having a blast for a good cause. The event is also a |
| symbolically broke a loaf of stale Cuban bread over | | | | fundraiser for AIDS help. So if you ever find yourself in |
| the head of a man dressed as a US Navy official, | | | | Key West in April prepare yourself for a fun ride for a |
| declaring war on the United States. One minute later | | | | good cause and let the drag racing begin. |