The Conch Republic Anniversary By Carol Shaughnessy Mar 17, 2009, 23:17 PST

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Each year the annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration commemorates the Florida Keys' secession from the United States following a 1982 U.S. Border Patrol blockade that virtually stopped traffic on the only road to the mainland. In protest, local officials staged the secession. After proclaiming the Conch Republic, they declared war on the mother country, pelted federal agents with stale Cuban bread, surrendered after 60 seconds and demanded $1 billion in foreign aid. No one can claim they didn't have a sense of humor.

Today patriots throughout the Keys fly the royal blue flag of the republic, whose motto is "We Seceded Where Others Failed," and the secession's anniversary is marked by an annual 10-day party.



As well as the drag race and sea battle, festival highlights include the World's Longest Parade, named because its sea-to-sea route down Key West's Duval Street proceeds from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico; and the Fairvilla Megastore Conch Republic Red Ribbon Bed Race, billed as "the most fun you can have in bed with your clothes on."

Other scheduled events include a "fun in the sun" pool party, pirates' ball and pig roast at the colorful Schooner Wharf Bar, Conch Crawl showcasing favorite watering holes, sailing race commemorating the Keys' historic wrecking tradition and a Stargazer Cruise on a majestic tall ship.

Keywords: Conch Republic Anniversary, Florida Key, Florida, FL, secession, ClassBrain, places to visit,

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