Thread: Everyting you wanted to know about the Conch Republic

Key West takes this very seriously!

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A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CONCH REPUBLIC The Conch Republic was established by secession of the Florida Keys from the United States of America, on April 23rd, 1982 in response to a United States Border Patrol Blockade setup on highway U.S.1 at Florida City just to the north of the Florida Keys. This heinous act effectively isolated Keys Citizens from the U.S. mainland since the blockade was on our only land artery to and from the mainland. This roadblock portrayed Keys residents as non-U.S. citizens who had to prove their citizenship in order to drive onto the Florida mainland! Hardly an American thing to do!

We protested! A totally American thing to do! Key West Mayor Dennis Wardlow along with a few other 'key' Conchs, went to Federal court in Miami to seek an injunction to stop the federal blockade, but to no avail. Upon leaving the Federal Court House , on the court house steps , Mayor Wardlow announced to the world, by way of the assembled TV crews and reporters, that ; "Tomorrow at noon the Florida Keys will secede from the Union!"

At noon, on the day of secession, at Mallory Square in Key West Florida, Mayor Wardlow read the proclamation of secession and proclaimed aloud that the Conch Republic was an independent nation separate from the U.S. and then symbolically began the Conch Republic's Civil Rebellion by breaking a loaf of stale Cuban bread over the head of a man dressed in a U.S. Navy uniform.

After one minute of rebellion, the now, Prime Minister Wardlow turned to the Admiral in charge of the Navy Base at Key West, and surrendered to the Union Forces, and demanded 1 Billion dollars in foreign aid and War Relief to rebuild our nation after the long Federal siege!

Thus began our Conch Republic journey which still continues today! We are both Conchs and we are Americans and we are proud to be both. By act of Congress we hold dual citizenship as Conchs and as Americans and will fight for the right to be both!

Contrary to recent reports, the name "Conch Republic" refers to "all"of the Florida Keys, or, that geographic apportionment of land that falls within the legally defined boundaries of Monroe County Florida, northward to "Skeeter's Last Chance Saloon" in Florida City , Dade County Florida, with Key West as the Nation's Capitol and all territories north of Key West being referred to as "The Northern Territories". Be it known that these boundaries were established by the U.S. Government when they set up "THE" Border Patrol blockade in front of "Skeeter's Last Chance Saloon", in April of 1982, thereby establishing a new United States border!

To enforce the validity of our secession, the Monroe County Commission, in 1994, by unanimous vote, did pass a County Resolution recognizing Mayor Wardlow's actions, on the 23rd of April in 1982, as by, of and for the people of the Florida Keys. Read the full story!

We celebrate our Independence every year with a week long celebration. Click Here for the current schedule of events.

In the quest for recognition, the Honorable Peter Anderson, Secretary General of the Conch Republic has created "Official Conch Republic Passports" . The Secretary General has extensively traveled our surrounding Caribbean Nations with nothing more than his Diplomatic Passport and has been well received by many as a Diplomat and as a Government Official of the Conch Republic and even had his passport endorsed by nearly all! Officially, our passports, Diplomats and Citizens, have been well received by 13 Caribbean Nations as well as Germany, Sweden, Havana, Mexico, France, Spain, Ireland, and Russia.

Passport info link



Citizen Passports

Diplomat Passports
CONCH REPUBLIC PASSPORTS



Currently the only "authorized On-line source" is:

Conch Republic Passport Control
613 Simonton Street
Key West, FL/CR 33040
For more information on obtaining a Conch Republic Passport in person during your next visit to the Conch Republic, please contact:


Office of the Secretary General
613 Simonton Street
Key West, FL/CR 33040
Phone (305) 296-0213
FAX: (305) 296-8803

Schedule of Events

Friday April 22nd


Noon - 2PM - The Raising of the Colors at Fort Taylor and Conch Republic Military Muster. Join us while we commandeer what is rightfully ours! Join our military as we induct members, bestow promotions, and have a great picnic! Complete with the firing of the cannons, the Fort becomes ours

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3 - 6PM - The Conch Republic Military Reception aboard the MOHAWK WW II MEMORIAL MUSEUM SHIPat the end of Southard Street on the Inner Mole Pier. $10 includes Pirates’ Choice Rum and a VIP Tour. Call 296-9694

7 PM - The Kick Off Party at the Schooner Wharf Bar. Conch Shell Blowing Contest with prizes, Music, Food, and Fun. More info at www.schoonerwharf.com or 305-292-3302.

Saturday April 23rd


1 PM – 11 PM - THE GREAT CONCH REPUBLIC DRAG RACE, hosted by the Bourbon Street Complex in the 700 & 800 Blocks of Duval St., roar with a Drag Race sanctioned the Conch Republic’s NHRA (Natural Hot Rod Association). Features racing Drag Queens in this benefit for Helpline. More info at www.bourbonstreetcomplex.com.

SCHEDULE:
1–2 Pits open for public viewing (700 Block of Duval)
2–3 Time Trials
3–5 Drag Racing - Quarters, Semis, and Finals
5–11 Tea Dancing in Street

8 PM - Conch Republic Royal Family Investiture Party at The Green Parrot 601 Whitehead St. CSome help elect the 2010-11 Conch Republic Royal Family, boogie the night away in royal fashion with Stray Dogs and support the Conch Republic Foster Children’s Fund. More info at www.greenparrot.com or 305-294-6133.

Sunday April 24th


10AM - Closing - The Conch Republic "THIN BLUE LINE" MINIATURE GOLF CHALLENGE at BOONDOCKS, MM 27.2 Ramrod Key. Benefit for MSCO/KWPD Law Enforcement Scholarship Fund, this week-long miniature gold challenge pits young and old in a classic “Counting Down the Leaderboard: to find the final Miniature Golf Champions!


12 Noon - The 20th Annual Conch Cruiser Car Show at the Schooner Wharf Bar.
A free entry car show with prizes galore in categories we haven't even invented yet! More info at www.SchoonerWharf.com or 305-292-3302.


1 – 4pm – The Oysterville Yacht Club Bass Ackwards Dinghy Race at Conch Republic Seafood Company. Teams row backwards to benefit Cam Neely Cancer fund. For more details call 305-745-2691.



12:30 PM ‘til the dancin’ stops – Green Parrot Conch Republic 2009 Music Festival; 601 Whitehead. Featuring Chicken & Soul Waffle Brunch with Robert Albury and Cliff Sawyer, at 3 pm Kenny Fradley’s Bee-Bop Tribute to Fats Navarro, and with Lil’ Ed the Blues Imperials at 5:30. More info at www.greenparrot.com or 305-294-6133.

Monday April 25th


10AM - Closing- The Conch Republic "THIN BLUE LINE" MINIATURE GOLF CHALLENGE at BOONDOCKS, MM 27.2 Ramrod Key. Fun with your putter conch-tinues...

Tuesday April 26th

10 AM - Closing - The Conch Republic "THIN BLUE LINE" MINIATURE GOLF CHALLENGE at BOONDOCKS, MM 27.2 Ramrod Key. Fun with your putter conch-tinues...

4pm – Conch Republic Hash – Hares ‘n’ Hounds Fun Run hosted by the Key West Hash House Harriers. Starting place: Finnegan’s Wake Irish Pub & Eatery, for more info www.sailshare.com/KeyWestHashHouseHarriers or 305-731-6795

5pm – Pet Stroll benefiting the Xena Fund. Route: Mel Fisher Maritime Museum to Conch Republic Seafood Company. Prizes: 4 Divisions: Children, Pet Look-a-Like, Group, Conch Republic Theme. $10 entry fee, per division. Registration at 5pm, stroll begins at 6 pm.


9 PM - The Captains' Meeting for the Bloody Battle. ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY. All you salts and sailors out there that dare undertake the perils of the Bloody Battle MUST ATTEND per orders of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. The meeting will be held at the Schooner Wharf Bar. Attendance is mandatory and no exceptions will be made.

Wednesday April 27th


10 AM - Closing - The Conch Republic "THIN BLUE LINE" MINIATURE GOLF CHALLENGE at BOONDOCKS, MM 27.2 Ramrod Key. Fun with your putter conch-tinues...

7 PM - Fairvilla MegaStore Red Ribbon Bed Race Pole Position Pre-Party at Shanna Key Irish Pub & Grill, 1900 Flagler. Info at www.Fairvilla.com or 305-292-0448.

Thursday April 28th


10 AM - Closing - The Conch Republic "THIN BLUE LINE" MINIATURE GOLF CHALLENGE at BOONDOCKS, MM 27.2 Ramrod Key. Fun with your putter conch-tinues...

7pm – The US1/Conch Country “World’s Longest Parade” down Duval Street from the Atlantic to the Gulf at the Schooner Wharf Bar. For the 13th year in a row, the Republic’s only totally impromptu parade will roll . . .get out of the car, step out of the bar, everyone’s a star!


9pm – The Parade Party at Schooner Wharf Bar. Follow the parade in Mardi Gras style. Welcome to where the paraders play. Info at www.SchoonerWharf.com or 305-293-3302.

Friday April 29th

-The Conch Republic's own 4th of July, Bastille Day & Cinco de Mayo all rolled into one!10AM - Closing - The Conch Republic "THIN BLUE LINE" MINIATURE GOLF CHALLENGE at BOONDOCKS, MM 27.2 Ramrod Key. Fun with your putter conch-tinues...
5:30pm – The Giant 7' Key Lime Pie in Mallory Square, a benefit for the Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden and the Military Memorial. Don’t miss your piece of the pie!

6pm – Bloody Battle Non-Combative Shore-Side Viewing Party . . . the only place to view the Great Battle!!! Be a witness to the most brazen battle of the year, where the only thing you’ll lose is your sanity. Viewing party will be held at the Ocean Key Resort & Spa on the Sunset Pier at Zero Duval Street. 305-296-7701. All are welcome!

7pm – The Conch Republic Naval Parade & Great Battle for the Conch Republic. Sponsored by the flagship Schooner Wolf, the Conch Republic’s Army, Navy and Air Force’s, this is the event of the Celebration . . . this is nothing like it in the known universe. In Key West Harbor.
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9 PM - The Victory Party at The Schooner Wharf Bar...Come help us celebrate our victory over the evil forces of the "United States Border Patrol"... we always win! More info at www.schoonerwharf.com or 305-292-3302.

Saturday April 30th


10AM - 8PM - The Conch Republic "THIN BLUE LINE" MINIATURE GOLF CHALLENGE at BOONDOCKS, MM 27.2 Ramrod Key. Fun with your putter conch-tinues...10AM - 5PM - The CONCH REPUBLIC CRAFTS SHOW & FOOD FEST

Sponsored by the Cultural Preservation Society. On Greene Street between Duval and Whitehead. Come embrace the arts, crafts & foods of the Conch Republic.
11AM - 5:00 PM - The CONCH CRAWL
Come to Conch Crawl Headquarters at Duval & Greene Streets to purchase your “I Survived . . .” T-shirt. The only way to know where to go!

2 - 5PM - The Fairvilla Megastore 27th Annual Conch Republic Red Ribbon Bed Race benefiting AIDS, Help, Inc.
Bed Race Our oldest and most famous event, the beds race down Duval from Fleming to the Hog’s Breath Saloon . . . the most fun you can have in bed with your clothes on!Info at www.Fairvilla.com or 305-292-0448.

5PM - Post Bed Race Party & Awards Ceremony at Hog’s Breath Saloon, 400 Front St.

2 - 7PM – The Conch Republic Fiddler's Contest at Green Parrot Bar, 601 Whitehead. Terry Cassidy welcomes the best fiddlers in the Republic as they vie for awards in this "tune or die" jam of Bluegrass and Old-time music. Featuring two-time Conch Republic Fiddling Champ and Master of Ceremonies Gary Zimmerman, Bob Murphy, Chuck Anton and “On the Fly”. Info at www.GreenParrot.com or 305-294-6133.

7 PM - THE PIRATE'S BALL AND PIG ROAST at the Schooner Wharf Bar...bottom feeders unite...we can't let the Upper Crustaceans have all the fun! Music, food, and always a good time! More info at www.SchoonerWharf.com or 305-292-3302.
7 PM - CAPTAIN'S MEETING for the WRECKERS' RACE at Schooner Wharf Bar. Info at www.SchoonerWharf.com or 305-292-3302.

Sunday May 1st


10am – 8pm – The Conch Republic “Thin Blue Line” Miniature Golf Challenge at Boondocks, MM 27.2 Ramrod Key. 16 finalists vie for great prizes and trophies in this benefit miniature gold challenge or the MCSO/KWPD Law Enforcement Scholarship Fund.
1pm – The Wrecker’s Race Series Finale. This one-way race to the reed re-enacts the ancient wrecking tradition of the Keys. Viewing from the harbor-front hotels and Mallory Square.
6pm – Dinner, Lecture & Tour in the Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden, benefiting the Garden and Military Memorial. Conch & Cuban inspired buffet served by El Meson de Pepe’s includes wine. $100.00 per person, reservations required – call 305-304-1941
For more information, visit The Office of the Secretary General of the Conch Republic at www.ConchRepublic.com or follow us on Facebook.
9 PM – 11:00 PM - THE GREAT CONCH REPUBLIC STARGAZER CRUISE ABOARD THE SCHOONER ADIRONDACK II WITH JOE UNIVERSE. The Classic Schooner Adirondack II presents this Stellar Last Event for 2010, sailing from the docks at the Schooner Wharf.
In a rare occurrence, both the Northern Cross and the Southern Cross will be visible in the night skies of the Conch Republic on this magical night.
The Official Conch Republic Flag designed in part by Key West’s own Betsy Ross, Claude Valdez, bears images of both Crosses because this island is one of the few places in the world where both Crosses can be seen together.
Our own Astronomer and Ambassador to the Universe, Joe Universe, will be aboard the Schooner Adirondack II to point this phenomenal sight out to our special guests.

A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales for this incredible cruise will be donated to the Conch Republic Foster Children’s Fund where every penny of every dollar goes to a child! Want to be doubly blessed? Call 293-7245. Reservations strongly recommended!!!

For more information,
call the Office of the Secretary General of the Conch Republic at
(305) 294-2298... fax (305) 296-8803.
Long Live The Conch Republic...