Steve Miller, executive director of the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, joined Good Morning Keys on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about upcoming events.
The Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce Dolphin Tournament will be held on June 6, 7 and 8.
Miller said, “We’re doing something different this year. In the past, we have had a prize for the largest dolphin over 50 pounds, $20,000 which we always spent like, about $3,000 buying the insurance on that, just in case anybody ever hit it. Nobody’s ever hit it. So this year, we took that $3,000 and put it in the prize money. So now whoever brings in the largest dolphin in the tournament’s going to win $10,000. I think that’s so much better, as opposed to giving it up to a wish, to a prayer, somebody’s actually really going to win the money.”
The tournament will kick off at the Boardwalk Bar and Grill in Big Pine.
Miller said, “This year we’re going to do the captain’s meeting over at Boardwalk, and then we’re going to actually do the weigh in on the Chamber grounds, because we found that most people bring their catch in by vehicle anyway. So we’re going to set up those scales here at the Chamber grounds, and then we’re going to have the big awards dinner over at the Boardwalk as well. I think this is going to be a pretty good one, to be bluntly honest with you.”
There’s a sale on registrations if you get in before May 31.
Miller said, “You’ll get $100 off. If you bring down people with you, you can buy their way into the banquet. That’s not that big of a deal, and it’s not that expensive either. You can pick up those extra tickets. We get them from Fishbone Metal Art Design. They’re big, they’re shiny, they’re glorious. I’ll be posting pictures of them on Facebook before too long.”
This is the 41st annual dauphin tournament.
Miller said, “It’s, I think, one of the oldest dolphin tournaments down here. Believe me, people love this tournament. It is a blast, and it’s easy to get into. You can register by going online to lowerkeyschamber.com, click on where it says events, and you’ll see the dolphin tournament thing pop right up. Or you can call 305-872-2411 and you can get yourself set up for that.”
Also there will be a Sunday concert at the new band shell at Big Pine Key Community Park on May 25.
Miller said, “They have got a brand new band shell out there. No, it’s not as big as the one in Key West or Marathon or anything like that, but it’s a new band shell for the folks here on Big Pine and we think that we need to have a little party to, well, christen it, welcome it in, as it were. So I have been tasked with putting that together. We’re going to do this on May the 25th that is Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. And right now I’m going to just started on this morning. I just finished filling out the paperwork, and I’m going to start looking for bands. There’s going to be, there’s going to be a bunch of stuff there. It’s going to be pretty cool. So keep your eyes open for this one. I’m actually doing this one through the Lower Keys Rotary Club.”
For more information, click here: https://lowerkeyschamber.com/product/28th-dolphin-tournament/