Vibrant arts emporiums, a fast-growing culinary scene and a colorful working waterfront characterize Stock Island, the Florida Keys community on the outskirts of Key West. Visitors can explore the eclectic island — headquarters of the Keys’ commercial shrimping industry — during the I Love Stock Island Festival set for Wednesday through Sunday, June 16-20.
Attractions during the Father’s Day weekend festival include fresh-off-the-boat seafood and other island cuisine, history and art tours, live music and even a family fishing tournament.
Among the opening events Wednesday are a self-guided tour of Stock Island’s enticing food trucks and a free 8 p.m. “dive-in movie” at Oceans Edge Resort & Marina, 5950 Peninsular Ave.
Subsequent offerings include Thursday’s ShrimpStock, where attendees can savor fresh local shrimp prepared 10 ways. Presented at the Art Shack, 6404 Front St., the 6-10 p.m. gathering also features live music.
Capping Friday’s schedule is the 4-7 p.m. “Taste of Stock Island Food Tour.” Traveling via trolley, guests are to stop at selected Stock Island restaurants to savor small plates and beverage pairings.
Both Friday and Saturday, festivalgoers can enjoy a stroll through the Stock Island Arts District discovering working studios, one-of-a-kind galleries and talented members of the area’s lively creative community.
A traditional pig roast is to be held Saturday night at Lost Beach at Island Farm, a laid-back enclave and honey farm tucked away at 7000/7200 5th St. The quintessential “old Keys” experience also includes a sunset campfire and live music.
Father’s Day brings activities for dads and kids, highlighted by a family fishing derby headquartered at Stock Island Yacht Club & Marina, 6000 Peninsular Ave. Both dock and charter fishing are to be offered, and rules call for lines in the water from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The angling action and a 4 p.m. weigh-in are to be followed by awards, a fish fry and live music on the beach.
Alternatively, kids and dads can have a family “photo op” and then craft a frame for their image from reclaimed lobster trap wood at Damon Designs at the Art Shack.
The festival also features a pool party, dinner and brunch experiences, a land-and-sea cleanup and happy hour, guided Stock Island history tours and live music performances dubbed “LiveStock on the Rock.”
Event information and ticketing: ILoveStockIsland.org
Stock Island community tends to be residential in character, rather than the tourist-oriented Key West, with a year-round population. Stock Island has a thriving artist community with specific enclaves that encompass two or more artists/shops: Stock Yard Studios, the Art Shack, Washed Up Studios, Art at the Perry Hotel, Studios at Stock Island Marina Village & Studios at Safe Harbor.
Ten marinas and boat yards on the island are home to live-aboard residents, offer transient slips, charters and water sports activities. 3D Boat Yard, Cow Key Marina, Hurricane Hole Restaurants & Marina, Murray Marine, Ocean’s Edge Key West Hotel and Marina, Robbie’s Full Service Marina, Safe Harbor Marina, Stock Island Marina Village, Stock Island Yacht Club & Marina and Sunset Marina.
There are many restaurants and food trucks Chicos Cantina, Croissants de Stock Island, Dolphin Deli, El Mocho, El Siboney Stock Island, Hog Fish Bar & Grill, Hurricane Joe’s Bar & Grill, Lost Kitchen Supper Club, Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen & Bar, One Love Food Truck, Roostica Wood-Fired Pizza, Salty Oyster Dockside Bar & Grill, Stock Island Barrel House, Stock Rock Cafe, Taco Express, The Club at Stock Island Yacht Club, The Jerk, Until It’s Gone, Yahman’s Authentic Jamaican Jerk Shack, and Yellowfin Bar & Grill. There is one distillery and two craft breweries.
The Key West Golf Club and residential complex, which takes up nearly one-quarter of the island is on the City of Key West side.
Stock Island is located at 24°34′12″N 81°44′15″W (24.570075, -81.737376).
U.S. 1 (or the Overseas Highway) crosses the key at approximately mile markers 4–6, immediately east of Key West.
These Keys Treasures Designs and many more are available on products such as T-Shirts, Stickers, Magnets, Mugs, Phone Cases, and much more at KeysTreasures.ReBubble.com