Updated: 47th Annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest March 7, 2009

The 47th Annual Conch Shell Blowing contest, sometimes called the "Conch Honk," will be held March 7th, 2009 starting at 1:30 p.m. in the garden of the Oldest House, 322 Duval Street, Key West. There is no cost to enter or to compete, and no experience is necessary. Conch shells will be available for purchase for those who do not have their own.
Contestants are encouraged to pre-register for the event at the Mallory Square Musuem on Mallory Square from 11:30 to 1 p.m. the day of the event, or at the event itself if space is still available. For further information, call (305) 294-9501.

Enthusiastic contestants, from children to seniors, polish their conch shells, pucker up, and demonstrate their shell-blowing talents.

This Annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest, sponsored by the Old Island Restoration Foundation, celebrates the historic importance of the conch in the Keys, where the far-reaching sounds from conch shells were used by the Calusa Indians for communication, by sailors as fog horns, and by early Key Westers to signal salvagers that a sinking ship was spotted offshore.

The conch itself, a sturdy sea mollusk, is deeply entwined in Key West’s heritage and tradition. As well as savoring conch meat in fritters and chowder, native-born islanders proudly call themselves Conchs. Their island home is known as the Conch Republic.

Entrants are judged on the quality, duration and loudness, and novelty of the sound they produced. Mercifully, for most contestants, musical ability is not a requirement in the annual “conch honk.” The winners take home trophies; ribbons are awarded to those who take second place.

The afternoon festivities typically include demonstrations of the intricacies of this ancient and noble art, and conch shells are available for contestants to purchase. Entertainment is often provided by Auwina Weed, widely acclaimed virtuoso on the conch shell, who for many years has performed such difficult numbers as the “Grand March from Aida” for the assembled crowd.

The contest receives wide national and international media coverage.

UPDATE: Rewritten at the request of another upcoming member 1/2/09 As the venue changed.
Note: "The Conch Shell Blowing Contest has been held at Ocean Key for may years. They (Old Island Restoration Foundation) have now moved it to the Oldest House - Garden House on Duval. I am dissapointed to lose such a great locals event. I am just trying to help out and get all the info straight as not to confuse anyone about the location change. R" Thanks Enjoy! M

Official Website: http://www.oirf.org/events/conchshell.htm