Swords and Tails Seaside Soirée to Benefit CFK Students in Islamorada

The College of the Florida Keys Foundation is staging Swords and Tails: A Seaside Soiree at the Islander Resort in Islamorada to raise money for CFK students and programs, and the college says "All proceeds of the event and auction will benefit the students and programs at CFK."

CFK’s public invitation lists the event as taking place Friday, February 28 at the Islander Resort, while a separate CFK Foundation announcement lists Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, from 6 to 10 p.m.; CFK’s event copy also describes the gathering as the thirteenth annual edition while the earlier notice called it an "anniversary edition" of CFK’s annual fundraiser, so attendees should confirm the final date and start time with the college before making plans.

In conjunction with the Seaside Soiree, CFK will run a virtual silent auction during the two weeks leading up to the event, running February 14 through 28, and the college notes that "The virtual silent auction offers an opportunity for people from anywhere to support the College’s fundraising efforts, regardless of their attendance at the Seaside Soiree event."

CFK’s event description says the thirteenth annual Seaside Soiree will feature costumes, fine dining and cocktails, and music at the Islander Resort in Islamorada. Promotional copy on the college site carried the headline "Tickets on sale for CFK’s ‘Swords & Tails’ Seaside Soiree fundraiser," and tickets and sponsorship packages are listed as available through the college’s event page.

Sponsors tied to CFK’s 2025 Seaside Soiree are named in CFK materials; the list reads: First Horizon Bank, Annette and David Curry, Baptist Health South Florida, Spottswood Companies, Mote Marine Laboratory, Ajax Building Company, Capital City Consulting and Gray Robinson Consulting, Mason Investments, Yamaha, and Belfor Property Restoration.

To contribute auction items, make a donation or confirm event details, contact Lana Gaspari, CFK Vice President of Advancement and CFK Foundation Executive Director, at foundation@cfk.edu or 305-809-3214. The college advises prospective attendees and bidders to confirm the event date and final schedule on the CFK event page or by calling the foundation office, since the event notices show differing dates and one announcement includes a 6 to 10 p.m. timeframe.