I love Stock Island Festival 2023

ERIN STOVER SICKMEN www.keysweekly.com

Navigating Stock Island sometimes has the unfettered feeling of jostling along rough-hewn streets in the Caribbean. And as in our neighboring Caribbean nations, it’s possible, likely even, that a surprise lies just around the corner.

Sure enough, after turning down a couple of dusty roads at sunny high noon on a weekday, I came upon Cayo Hueso Brewing. Like all good surprises, it’s initially unassuming, situated between a well-known restaurant and some light industrial businesses. When I opened the door, though, I was greeted with cool AC and an even cooler atmosphere. An airbrushed Ernest Hemingway dominates one wall, next to a meticulously refinished 1920s mantle. Subway tile accentuates the 12 taps, awaiting new brews. All around, design details shine, and in the midst of it all is Jorge Quintana, ready to greet me with a big handshake, a big smile and a big personality. It’s clear that the man responsible for brews is also the “lead vibe engineer.”

Quintana is the brewer and owner of Cayo Hueso, as well as the president of the I Love Stock Island Festival. A hometown guy born and raised in Key West, he understands the importance of his salty roots and is putting time and money behind his priorities, enhancing Stock Island while honoring its heritage. “The history of our small island is something to be proud of. We like to honor that history and showcase how unique our island home is, which is why we call ourselves Cayo Hueso Brewing,” Quintana says.

Echoing that point, the brewery itself is housed in a former auto body repair shop on a road that’s about as far away from the tourist grab of Old Town as one can get in the Lower Keys. Yet, that’s exactly the perfection of Quintana’s plan. His experience tells him that brew-loving, fun-loving tourists will find him and that the rest of his client base will be the families and neighbors with whom he grew up. Although he has many festivals, pop-ups and parties planned over the next few months, the heart of his business lies in Stock Island. “I’m excited to see so many new options out here,” he says, gazing across the parking lot at the ever-popular brick oven pizza joint Roostica. He goes on to tell me about a partnership between the brewery and that restaurant. “In the coming months our visitors will be able to order pizza, maybe some small plates, from the restaurant and enjoy it on our patio with a beer.” And just like that, through the timeless diplomacy of pizza and beer, he’s literally tearing down walls.

Aside from atmosphere, another way Quintana is preserving the old island feel is through his carefully curated flavors. A small handful of man-

goes and Spanish limes sit on the bar, carefully perched on a clean towel. No doubt those familiar Key West flavors are just awaiting their turn to become the latest flavor experiment. Currently the brewery is offering four charter brews: Expired Passport Summer Wheat, El Hemingway American Pale Ale, Electric Beach Hazy IPA, and Coconut Coma, a porter that “uses toasted organic coconut in every batch.”

More flavors are on deck and the offerings, aside from a few evergreen fan favorites, will constantly change. Quintana says the beer is “engineered to be created in small batches, which allows for more creativity and variety since we can deliver new recipes faster.” With that tenet in mind, each cask contains just a 100 gallons of beer. Like all good things, though, the process takes time. Depending on the complexity of each brew, beers can take anywhere from 12 days to two months to complete the journey from raw ingredients to pint glass.

Similarly, the journey for Quintana has been a process. What began as a hobby, prompted by the gift of a homebrewing kit from his wife, has become a deep passion. In 2018, after perfecting his homebrew craft for seven years, Quintana purchased the building in which Cayo Hueso Brewery is now situated, and began working with the county to permit his business. The next couple of years brought huge challenges with COVID, but Quintana dodged where others ducked and managed to stay on his feet. Using the time at home as an opportunity, rather than a hindrance, he cultivated his plan and was ready when the air cleared. Once drinkers and diners began to venture back

out, the business grew quickly. Although patrons still have to hold on a little longer for the tasting room to open, there’s no reason to delay sampling Cayo Hueso’s concoctions. “They don’t have to wait to have our beers,” says Quintana. With 27 accounts across Stock Island and Key West, including venues like The Docks, Ocean’s Edge, Retro Room and Half Shell Raw Bar, there is plenty of Expired Passport and Coconut Coma flowing.

The main point that Quintana wants to convey to his imbibers is that the beer is “all locally brewed, and there’s always something new.”

“Paradise Unfiltered is our brewing philosophy and we focus on brewing beers here in Key West that highlight what authentic island living means to us.” Local owner, local production, local ingredients, local sales establishments, local client base – Cayo Hueso Brewery is a true local family business in every sense of the phrase.

STOCK ISLAND: SEAFOOD CENTRAL

“None of our commercially important species are overfished, including shrimp, lobster, stone crab, kingfish, Spanish mackerel, red grouper, and mangrove, yellowtail and mutton snappers. In addition, 80% of our commercial fisheries have been recognized as ‘environmentally responsible’ by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Marketing Program. FKCFA is also championing an effort to define ‘sustainable fishing practices’ that will conserve habitat and stocks for future generations.”

The association hosts an annual Key West Seafood Festival to showcase the bounty of the local industry. Money raised supports the association’s efforts and scholarships that it provides to the children of commercial fishing families.

RECIPES FOR SUCCESS

No celebration of Stock Island would be complete without a dive into its longtime economic backbone — commercial fishing.

Before frozen drinks and four-day cruises arrived in the Lower Keys, there was fishing. Spiny lobster, shrimp, stone crab, snapper and more have sustained Stock Island and 1,600 commercial fishing families throughout the Florida Keys. The fishing industry is second only to tourism in terms of its value in the Florida Keys.

And nowhere is that industry more visible than on Stock Island.

Trap yards and marinas are stacked high with lobster and stone crab traps. Familyowned lobster boats bob at their docks, awaiting the bountiful season that runs from Aug. 6 through March 31. Lobster trap tags and permits are handed down from generation to generation. Hulking shrimp boats fill their holds with Key West pink shrimp and everyone awaits the arrival of stone crab season every Oct. 15 through May 1.

The Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association has worked for 30 years to organize Keys fishermen and ensure they have fair representation and input into state and federal fishery management actions and regulations.

While most of its members are lobster and stone crab trappers, the group also includes

gillnetters and hand-liners for kingfish and mackerel, as well as hook-and-line fishermen for snapper, grouper and all the other fish the Keys waters offer.

The association provides scholarships for fishermen’s children, conducts coastal and shoreline clean-ups, obtains financial relief for fishermen after hurricanes and provides the local fishermen with a cohesive voice for representation to state fishery managers.

“With more than 350 federally permitted fishing boats, the Florida Keys are home to the largest commercial fleet from Texas to North Carolina,” states the FKCFA website.

“Over 80% of the spiny lobster harvested in the state of Florida are caught in Monroe County, and Stock Island alone lands 7 million pounds of the popular lobsters with a dockside value of $24 million — that’s 5% of Florida’s total landings and 13% of total value,” says the FKCFA.

Aside from the money it generates, the local commercial fleet is one of the last standing symbols of Stock Island’s heritage.

“The Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association is the backbone of an industry crucial to Lower Keys cultural and economic health. Through stone crab, lobster, and seasonal fishing seasons, the fishermen and women of FKCFA harvest the bounty of the sea that feeds many of our families, directly and indirectly,” its website states.

The association in 2015 published and still sells a cookbook of more than 1,000 local recipes and uses the proceeds to further its efforts.

Copies of the cookbook are available at Fishbusterz seafood market — right here on Stock Island.

“Ocean Flavors and More” includes favorite recipes from the fishermen themselves, their families and friends.

Hundreds of entries focus on locally caught seafood, such as coconut shrimp, shrimp boils, shrimp over pasta, shrimp & grits, baconwrapped shrimp, beer-boiled shrimp, shrimp salad — wow, we’re starting to sound a little like Forrest Gump here.

There’s also recipes for lobster bisque, whole fried snapper, smoked fish dip, yellowtail piccata, ceviche made with locally caught grouper or yellowtail snapper, lobster medallions in a cream sauce and all manner of stone crab claws and sassy sauces.

The cookbook also includes helpful tips from the local pros about freezing and thawing seafood, deveining shrimp, removing spiny lobster tails from the shell and stern warnings about lobster meat continuing to cook while still in its shell.

“Ocean Flavors and More” is aptly named, because even here in the Florida Keys, where seafood is a staple, our fishermen and friends can grill a killer steak and juicy chicken.

Commercial fishing boats comprise the second-largest — and oldest — industry in the Florida Keys and Stock Island. FLORIDA KEYS COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN’S ASSOCIATION/Contributed

The Key West Seafood Festival each year showcases the saltwater bounty of Stock Island the Lower Florida Keys. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

WEDNESDAY JULY 12

I LOVE STOCK ISLAND

FESTIVAL KICK OFF

Come take a picture in front of the 2023 I Love Stock Island Festival sign! Post your picture with the hashtag #ilovestockisland for a chance to win I Love Stock Island gear.

WHERE: Tom Thumb Grass Triangle , 5690 Maloney Ave, Key West

WHEN: All weekend long!

STOCK ISLAND COLLABORATIVE COASTLOVE CLEAN UP

Join us for the Stock Island Collaborative Cleanup in partnership with CoastLove! This community-driven event aims to restore and preserve the natural beauty of Stock Island, while fostering a sense of environmental responsibility. Together, we will gather at designated locations and work hand in hand to remove litter and debris from the island’s shores, parks, and public spaces. By joining forces with CoastLove, an organization dedicated to coastal conservation, we can make a meaningful impact on the local ecosystem. Let’s come together, protect our environment, and create a cleaner, healthier Stock Island for all to enjoy.

Lazy Dog Adventures - Departing from 5114 Overseas Highway at 10:30am until 12:30pm. Call to reserve your kayak 305-295-9898

Oceans Edge Water SportsDeparting from 5950 Peninsular Ave at 2pm until 4pm. Call to reserve 786-862-6317

Blue Moon Kayak Key WestDeparting from 5016 5th Ave at 9am to 12pm. Call to reserve you kayak at 305-209-8303

Kayak Kings of Key West - Departing from 5001 5th Ave at 9am12pm. Call to reserve you kayak at 305-896-9006

CoastLove Land Based Clean Up - Hosted by Oceans Edge Resort and Marina, 5950 Peninsular Ave. Check in with CoastLove at 4:30pm for a brief meeting and grab your supplies. Clean up is 5pm to 7pm.

Join us back at Oceans Edge Resort for the garbage to be weighed and celebrate your hard work with a cold beverage, 7-8pm

I LOVE STOCK ISLAND FOOD TRUCK TOUR

Embark on a delightful culinary adventure through the self-guided

“I Love Stock Island” Food Truck Tour. Savor the vibrant food truck scene of Stock Island at your own pace, with no tickets required.

WHERE: Follow the interactive map on the event website to Stock Island’s favorite food trucks.

WHEN: During regular business hours. Each food truck’s hours may vary.

STOCK ISLAND MURAL ART TOUR

Set out on your own artistic scavenger hunt with the Stock Island Mural Art Tour, a captivating exploration of street art and creativity. This self-guided tour allows you to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of murals that adorn the walls of Stock Island. Find one, find them all! Don’t forget to take a photo, post it and tag us! Remember to include #ilovestockisland

WHERE: Use the interactive map on the I Love Stock Island website to point you in the right direction so can find all these secret spots!

WHEN: All weekend long!

One Love Food Truck • Leo’s Campground • Sandal Factory • The Smokehouse • Car Quest • A-Plus Roofing

• Oceans Edge Water Sports • Cayo Hueso Brewing • Chicos Cantina

SHRIMPSTOCK

Indulge in a tantalizing gastronomic experience at “Shrimp Stock,” a culinary event that celebrates the exquisite flavors of shrimp. Prepare your taste buds for a memorable evening featuring seven delectable courses, each meticulously crafted to showcase the versatility and succulence of shrimp. From classic shrimp cocktail to innovative shrimp-based creations, our talented chefs will take you on a culinary journey like no other. Cash bar will be available with specials on local craft beer. Space is limited! Gratuities kindly appreciated

WHERE: The Perry Hotel & Marina

Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen, 7011 Shrimp Rd. Stock Island

WHEN: 6-8:30pm.

BUY TICKETS: ilovestockisland.org

THURSDAY JULY 13

I LOVE STOCK ISLAND

FOOD TRUCK TOUR

For details see July 12.

STOCK ISLAND MURAL ART TOUR

For details see July 12.

AN EVENING WITH CAYMUS

Join us for an exclusive Caymus

Wine Tasting hosted by Oceans Edge Resort & Marina. Let Caymus Napa Valley entice you with its rich portfolio of wines. Guests will taste a variety of their favorite Wagner Family wines and enjoy light snacks from the talented chefs at Yellowfin Bar & Kitchen. Enter the drawing for a chance to win a special prize at the end. Advanced reservations required so reserve your spot now! Space is limited.

WHERE: Oceans Edge Resort & Marina, 5950 Peninsular Ave, Key West

WHEN: 5:30pm-7:30pm.

FRIDAY JULY 14

STOCK ISLAND HISTORY TOUR

Tour Stock Island in the comfort of Up The Keys’ air-conditioned tour van. In the one-hour tour, passengers learn about Stock Island’s rich history and colorful characters that have allowed for the preservation of the old Florida Keys lifestyle so that it is still present today. Limited space available. Advanced reservations required. Visit the event website to reserve your spot.

WHERE: The Perry Hotel & Marina, 7001 Shrimp Rd. Stock Island

WHEN: 10am, 11am, 1pm

BUY TICKETS: ilovestockisland.org

STOCK ISLAND MURAL ART TOUR

For details see July 12.

I LOVE STOCK ISLAND FOOD TRUCK TOUR

For details see July 12.

TASTE OF STOCK ISLAND TROLLEY TOUR

Board the Old Town Trolley for a culinary tour of Stock Island’s favorite restaurants. At each stop you will enjoy a specially selected small plate and beverage pairing that will be explained by an expert. Each trolley small group is lead by a local tour guide.

WHERE: Meet at The Perry Hotel, 7001 Shrimp Rd. Stock Island

WHEN: 4-8pm.

BUY TICKETS: ilovestockisland.org

SATURDAY JULY 15

FYT

BOOTCAMP COMPLIMENTARY

CLASS FOR THE COMMUNITY

Start your day with the tribe at FYT for a morning bootcamp workout! This one hour, full body HIIT bootcamp style workout will leave you feeling strong and energized to kick off your day the right way. This is a FREE class and all levels are welcome. Call to reserve your spot 305-453-6176.

WHERE: FYT Key West, 5450 MacDonald Ave #9, Key West

WHEN: 8:30am-9:30am

KEY WEST LIONFISH DERBY

PRESENTED BY FINZ- FISHING DAY 1

The 1st annual Key West Lionfish Derby hosted by Finz Dive Center and Hunter Sportfishing. Register early on our website and compete to help control the population of this invasive species! Multiple divisions including smallest, largest, and most fish will win prizes, while having fun! $75 early registration $90 day of. Official weigh in from 3p-5p July 16th at Finz Dive Center followed by awards at 6p at Oceans Edge Resort & Marina. Find our official rules and learn more at FinzDiveCenter.com/LionfishDerby

FATHER SON HAIR CUTS

Visit Beards and Brews Barbershop & Bar for Father-Son Haircuts. Pay for Dad’s haircut and get your son’s haircut for free! This is sure to be great Father-Son bonding time during the I Love Stock Island Festival

WHERE: 5450 MacDonald Ave, Unit 6. Key West

WHEN: Call ahead to schedule your appointment 305-292-1460.

I LOVE STOCK ISLAND FESTIVAL FOR THE FAMILY

Mark your calendars for the MAIN EVENT! The 1st annual I Love Stock Island Festival for the Family! This lively celebration will be filled with fun and excitement for everyone. An artisan market, delicious food and drinks, activities for kids, fun games, entertainment, and a silent auction just to name a few. This community event is free of charge but come prepared to place a bid for some exciting silent auction prizes, where proceeds will be benefiting the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen Association. You won’t want to miss out!

WHERE: Bernstein Park- 6751, 5th Street, Stock Island

WHEN: 2pm-8pm

STOCK ISLAND MURAL ART TOUR

For details see July 12.

I LOVE STOCK ISLAND FOOD TRUCK TOUR

ilovestockisland.org

For details see July 12.

SUNDAY JULY 16

F45 BOOTCAMP WORKOUT

F45 Bootcamp is an intense fun outdoor workout including strength training, cardio, core and plyometrics, all while listening to your favorite music! Join Raquel Robbins and her amazing team for a 60 minute sweatsession on the Event Lawn at The Perry Hotel & Marina and start your day off right! Visit event website to reserve your spot.

WHERE: The Event Lawn at The Perry Hotel, 7011 Shrimp Rd. Key West

WHEN: 7:30am to 8:30am

BUY TICKETS: ilovestockisland.org

YOGA ON THE LAWN

Join us for a rejuvenating yoga class where serenity meets nature. Experience the blissful harmony of practicing under the warm Key West sunshine, breathing in the fresh air as you find your inner balance. All levels welcome. Advanced reservations required. Visit event website to reserve your spot.

WHERE: The Event Lawn @ The Perry Hotel & Marina, 7011 Shrimp Rd. Key West

WHEN: 9am-10am

BUY TICKETS: ilovestockisland.org

KEY WEST LIONFISH DERBY

PRESENTED BY FINZ- FISHING DAY 2

For details see July 15.

STOCK ISLAND HISTORY TOUR

Tour Stock Island in the comfort of Up The Keys’ air-conditioned tour van. In the one-hour tour, passengers learn about Stock Island’s rich history and colorful characters that have allowed for the preservation of the old Florida Keys lifestyle so that it is still present today. Limited space available. Advanced reservations required. Visit the event website to reserve your spot.

WHERE: The Perry Hotel & Marina, 7001 Shrimp Rd. Stock Island

WHEN: 10am, 11am, 1pm BUY TICKETS: ilovestockisland.org

TUNES

JULY 13TH

CAYO HUESO BREWING TAP TAKEOVER AND BRUNCH HOSTED BY ROOSTICA WOOD-FIRE PIZZERIA

Roostica and Cayo Hueso Brewing join forces for this bold and flavorful culinary and craft beer experience. Prepare yourself for a mouthwatering adventure like no other as we present a lineup of tantalizing brunch dishes expertly crafted to compliment the exceptional brews of Cayo Hueso Brewing. Guests will enjoy a sampling of Cayo Hueso’s finest beers. Space is limited for this exclusive experience so reserve your spot today.

WHERE: Roostica Wood Fired Pizzeria, 5620 MacDonald Ave, Key West

WHEN: 11am-2pm

BUY TICKETS: ilovestockisland.org

STOCK ISLAND MURAL ART TOUR

For details see July 12.

I LOVE STOCK ISLAND

FOOD TRUCK TOUR

For details see July 12.

I LOVE STOCK ISLAND FESTIVAL

CLOSE OUT HAPPY HOUR BASH

Get ready to bid farewell to the incredible 2023 I Love Stock Island Festival at the Close Out Happy Hour hosted by Yellowfin Bar and Kitchen at the luxurious Oceans Edge Resort & Marina. Enjoy breathtaking views of the historic Oceanside Marina while enjoying happy hour food and drink specials. Listen to the soothing sounds of the talented Michael Neumann and keep an eye out for the spear-fishermen returning from their Lionfish derby! Join in on the awards presentation and see who takes home the big prize!

WHERE: Yellowfin Bar and Kitchen at Oceans Edge Resort & Marina

WHEN: 3pm-6pm

Scan QR code for tickets

WITH ZERO COMPROMISES

Live Music at Yellowfin Bar & Kitchen: Joel Nelson | 6pm – 9pm

JULY 14TH

Live Music at Yellowfin Bar & Kitchen: Keith Franx | 6pm – 9pm

JULY 15TH

Poolside Party at Oceans Edge Resort | Ft. DJ Jamz | 12pm – 3pm

Live Music at Yellowfin Bar & Kitchen: Darren Kraatz | 6pm – 9pm

Live Music at HOGFISH: Gordon Casey | 5:30-9:30

JULY 16TH

Extended Happy Hour and Poolside Music at Yellowfin Bar & Kitchen: Ft. Michael Neumann | 3pm – 6pm

Lionfish Tournament Awards | 6pm – 7pm

Live Music at Yellowfin Bar & Kitchen: Lance Taylor | 6:30pm – 9:30pm

“Thank

— Your LOCAL Waste Management team of the Florida Keys

ERIN STOVER SICKMEN www.keysweekly.com

FOOD ON FOUR WHEELS

Thanks to a deviation from the standard foodie formula, food trucks have taken a (perhaps larger than expected) place of glory in recent culinary culture.

The curb appeal, if you will, lies in the branding, or more specifically lack thereof. By design, food trucks are typically single entities, unattached from larger corporate brands. They are family-run and more often than not, one of a kind. The food handed through the window is made to order, coming hot and crispy, direct from the chef’s hands to yours. Whether you identify as an executive on your lunch break, a ravenous construction worker or a stoner craving a small mountain of burritos, you’ll walk away sated.

In recent years, from Singapore to Seattle, entire neighborhoods have given way to a multitude of small businesses on wheels. Closer to home, the Keys have welcomed several food truck options. One standout option can be found in, of all places, a Chevron gas station parking lot. Although steps have been taken to spruce up the environs and now include a stunning mural, you don’t come here for the ambiance, you come for the tastebud-busting food.

One Love Food Truck is a labor of love from beloved local chef Clive Thompson, who grew up in Jamaica, starting his life with a diet of fresh fish, locally sourced fruit and jaw-popping Caribbean spices. The food was real and it was delicious. Fast forward a few years and a young-adult Thompson found himself training at the Culinary Academy of Long Island in New York. His dreams of becoming a chef materialized and he spent years working in the New York area creating sophisticated dishes for high-end events such as the US Open. Eventually, a pull toward warmer climates and different palates initiated his journey back toward the subtropics. After a stopover proving his talents at Walt Disney World, he continued farther south and (lucky for us) made Key West his home.

In 2017, One Love sprouted as a catering business before growing into a food truck with a full menu and regular hours in 2019. That same year, One Love won Best Main Dish at Mango Fest, kicking things off to a juicy start.

The food at One Love showcases Chef Thompson’s breadth of experience, while highlighting the flavors of his native Jamaica. The best dishes on the menu accentuate the overlap of Caribbean cuisine with the local flavors found in the Keys. Jerk chicken and Jamaican patties stand next to shrimp, mahi and tuna dishes. The chef even nods to the confluence of culinary backgrounds with two dishes – “Shrimp My Way” and “Shrimp Your Way.” Ultimately though, roots win out, taking center stage with “Next Level Oxtail,” a traditional Caribbean dish elevated by Thompson, who has honed the recipe over a lifetime. If your mouth is watering, be warned: The labor-intensive dish is only served on Sundays.

During this year’s I love Stock Island Festival, returning customers and the culinary-curious can discover new tastes at One Love and several other food trucks during the I Love Stock Island Food Truck Tour. A non-ticketed, self-guided experience invites guests to explore the mobile offerings at their own pace. Many of the businesses will offer $10 sample plates, and most have additional specials.

Use the excuse to get off the rock this weekend for a little side trip during the festival, but also bookmark this spot for your next expedition to Miami.

ONE LOVE FOOD TRUCK

5220 Overseas Hwy (at the Chevron station) 305-393-9169

6401 Maloney Avenue, MM 5 Key West, FL 33040

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The moment you arrive at The Perry Hotel & Marina you'll find yourself transported by the salty air, large open spaces, and five-star service Situated just one bridge away from historic Old Town, yet unlike anything you can find in downtown Key West, our 40-plus-acre property offers the ultimate experience

7001 Shrimp Road | Key West, Florida 33040

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