Has anyone been to this festival? What's the vibe like? What are the best parts?

Throw a loaf of bread, declare yourself and independent nation, then surrender to President Ronald Reagan!

Seriously, that is the history in a nutshell.

It is another fun party in Key West. Nutty, but fun.

They have a mock naval battle which is fun. People make home made boats and shoot water cannons at each other. There is a pirate ball, bed races with drag queens, parades and they close Duvall down and have bands and food tables.

Sounds like a great party to me!

Sounds great! Can anyone join in the festivities? Any tips for fun places to stay/sleep that are close to the action?

It is a great party. One caveat, it is like Mardis Gras in New Orleans, if you are not at least slightly buzzed, you will be miserable. People tend to get falling down drunk.

That's not true GoTravel. We go every year the week of the Conch Republic Celebration and I have yet to see stumbling down drunks. AND, my husband and I drink very little and we enjoy it very much.

To answer your question-GR2-Anyone can partake in the festivities. It's alot of fun. Go to http://www.fla-keys.com and hit Key West.

Forgot to mention accomodations, you will want to stay in Old Town as parking is a problem. That way you can walk to the festivities. There are a number of hotels and b&b's in Old Town. Ocean Key Hotel, Hilton to name a few. The link I gave you will give you more choices in accomodations or do a text search above on Key West. Plenty of info here.

Let me repost, this was back in the late eighties through about 1992.

buckeyemom, my oh-so-prim and proper sister (NOT at the time) would agree with you. I personally saw her doing things of questionable nature.

Again, we were in our early twenties at the time.

I think they have toned it down alot with the advent of the cruise ships. We didn't see one boob exposed much to my husband's dismay.

Too bad things have been toned down for the cruise ships. I guess you gotta go to NO to see boobs on the street