Upper Keys Irish Fest Parade, Dancers Celebrate 26th Annual St. Patrick's Event

Parade floats assembled at 1st Court and Avenue B Saturday morning as the 26th annual Upper Keys Irish Fest brought Irish dancers, live music and corned beef and cabbage to the Caribbean Club at 104080 Overseas Highway in Key Largo, with festivities beginning at 11 a.m. and the parade assembly kicking off at 11:30 a.m.

The event, hosted by nonprofit Teen Intervention and Prevention Services (TIPS) of the Florida Keys, raises money for Key Largo School athletics and activities and purchases sports equipment for Upper Keys youth. Prizes were awarded for the best float, and there was no entry fee to enter the parade or the festival. Vendor booths were available, and TIPS sought donations for a silent auction throughout the day. Anyone still interested in contributing can call 305-209-9580 or email upperkeysirishfest@gmail.com.

Beyond the parade, the Caribbean Club's historic bayside setting filled with vendors, raffles, Irish beer and whiskey, and the Irish dancers who have become a signature draw of the annual celebration.

The St. Patrick's weekend did not end at the Caribbean Club. On Sunday, March 15, Sharkey's Sharkbite Grill at 522 Caribbean Drive, along the Port Largo Canal near mile marker 99.7 oceanside, hosted the Wee Fib Fake Irish Band from 5 to 7 p.m. The band performed Irish and "not authentic" music while patrons worked through a menu of corned beef and cabbage, fish and chips, Teelings Irish Whiskey and green and not-so-green beer. Attendees were encouraged to wear green or orange. Also on Sunday, the History of Diving Museum offered guided tours at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The week closes out Tuesday, March 17, when Florida Keys Brewing Co. hosts a free St. Patrick's Day event where patrons can get their "sham-rock" on. The Tullamore Dudes play live Irish music from 5 to 9 p.m., while MEAT Eatery serves Irish fare from noon to 8 p.m. Drink specials include Irish beers on draft, green sangria and jello shots "packed with some luck.