Monthly Artisan Market Celebrates Ocean Awareness

The Key West Artisan Market: Ocean Awareness Edition will be held Sunday, March 30 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Restaurant Store parking lot in support the Mote Marine’s Oceanfest Key West on Saturday. The Market is a new monthly attraction with only one more date set for April 27 in conjunction with Conch Republic Days.

The event gives residents and visitors alike a chance to shop fresh and local. The parking lot at 1111 Eaton is transformed into a showcase of art, photography and unique local handicrafts made exclusively in the Keys in one convenient location. There will be entertainment, chef demonstrations, and kid’s activities. Marianne van den Broek from Sandisle will be demonstrating sand carving and Durf Durffee will be using various magnifying glasses to burn images on to wood.

Guests will be able to taste and buy local specialties including fresh Cole’s Peace bakery items, farmer’s market fruits and vegetables, cut flowers, shrimp, smoked meats, cheeses, wine, honey, salt and spices, olive oil, honey, bacon jam and other culinary delights including some for our four-legged friends. The Restaurant Store will have great spread of Conch classic cuisine by Master Chef Martin Liz including conch salad, lobster chilao, mojo pork sandwiches and Frita Cubana.

Concessions, wine and a broad craft beer selection will be onsite. At least four brews from Old Island Brewing, located within the Restaurant Store, will be featured as well as wines from Republic National.

A complete list of participants is available at www.facebook.com/KeyWestArtisanMarket

Guests are encouraged to ride bikes and carpool to the Market because limited free parking is available courtesy of Strunk Ace Hardware and Manley deBoer Lumber Company. Please BYOB (bring your own bags).