Conch republic

Crew aboard a commercial fishing boat, right, portraying a U.S. Coast Guard vessel engages in mock combat with a sailboat during the Great Battle for the Conch Republic Friday, April 26, 2013, in Key West, Fla. (Rob O'Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

“Seaquester” Sails In Annual Key’s Celebration

The year’s Conch Republic Independence celebration continues, but mandatory federal budget cuts have kept the Coast Guard docked.

CBS4–2013/04/27

Female impersonators are pushed in shopping carts during the Great Conch Republic Drag Race Saturday, April 20, 2013, in Key West, Fla. The auto racing spoof was a facet of the 10-day Conch Republic Independence Celebration that continues through April 28 and marks the Florida Keys 1982 "secession" from the United States, following a Border Patrol's surprise roadblock at the top of the Keys Overseas Highway. (Rob O'Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

Female Impersonators Compete in Key West ‘Drag Race’

Dresses, pancake makeup and high platform heels aren’t the traditional attire for drag car racers. But that’s what competitors wore in Key West this weekend, when a group of big-haired female impersonators staged the Great Conch Republic Drag Race.

CBS4–2013/04/21

Budget Cuts To Keep Coast Guard Out Of Conch Republic Celebration

Federal budget cuts have scuttled the Coast Guard’s plans to take part in the annual Conch Republic celebration this year.

2013/04/07

Cracked Conch (Source: Florida Keys Guide)

Fla. Legislators: Don’t Fritter Away Conchs

The Florida Keys without conch on the menu? That is the fear of some lawmakers who believe a federal prohibition of the large marine mollusk from being served from Florida City to Key West will harm tourism.

CBS4–2013/04/04

Man Snags Conch Shell Blowing Title In Key West

Dozens of contestants blew their own horns in Key West Saturday, but none did it better than 76-year-old sailing buff Bill Ochse of Ocean City, Md.

CBS4–2013/03/02

Monroe Co. Officials Close Offices, Schools Monday Ahead Of Isaac

In anticipation of Tropical Storm Isaac, Monroe County officials decided Thursday to shut down county offices and cancel school on Monday — the day Isaac’s weather is expected to impact the Florida Keys.

CBS4–2012/08/23

Key West Hosts Truman Legacy Symposium

The Conch Republic is home to a weekend symposium honoring the late Present Harry Truman.

CBS4–2012/05/19

Flanked by members of the Seven-Foot Key Lime Pie Team, Key West Mayor Craig Cates, center, wields a blow torch to brown the meringue of a seven-foot-round Key lime pie Monday, April 23, 2012, in Key West, Fla. The giant dessert was prepared to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Conch Republic, Key West's 1982 response when the U.S. Border Patrol erected a roadblock at the top of the Florida Keys Overseas Highway ostensibly searching for drugs and illegal immigrants. The huge pastry was concocted from the juice of 1,080 Key limes, 360 eggs, 90 cans of sweetened condensed milk and 20 pounds of pie dough. (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

Key West Residents Celebrate 30 Year “Secession” Of Conch Republic

A seven-foot-round Key lime pie and a re-enactment of the Florida Keys’ “secession” from the United States marked the 30th anniversary of the creation of the Conch Republic late Monday afternoon in Key West.

CBS4–2012/04/23

Female impersonators compete in the Great Conch Republic Drag Race, a facet of the Conch Republic Independence Celebration Saturday, April 23, 2011, in Key West, Fla. The celebration, continues through May 1 and commemorates the anniversary a 1982 mock "secession" from the United States following a U.S. Border Patrol roadblock erected at the top of the Florida Keys' Overseas Highway. (Rob O'Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

“Drag Racers” Strut Their Stuff Down Key West’s Duval Street

Decked out in staggeringly high heels, false eyelashes and loads of attitude, “drag racers” took to the famous Duval Street in the Southernmost City for Saturday’s Key West Great Conch Republic Drag Race.

CBS4–2012/04/22