Hemingway Key West Bash

Ernest Hemingway, who was born in Oak Park, Ill., on July 21, 1899, spent most of the 1930's in Key West, where he wrote "A Farewell to Arms," "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and other novels. For nearly 20 years, Key West has been celebrating his stay with a series of generally raucous summer events: arm-wrestling, key lime pie-eating contests, late-night parties at Sloppy Joe's (a Hemingway watering hole) and, of course, Hemingway look-alike competitions. This year's 10-day festival, which begins on July 16, will adhere to this schedule, although there are a few new and expanded offerings. Organizers are expecting 25,000 Hemingway fans, and accommodations are filling up fast.

Unless otherwise noted, the following events are free.

At 6 P.M. on July 16, there will be a reception at the Hemingway House, the author's Spanish colonial house at 907 Whitehead Street, which will be officially added to the Literary Landmark Register. On July 18, a photography exhibition called "Hemingway in Cuba" will go on display at the Sam Carlos Institute at 516 Duval Street. Information: (305) 294-3887.

Sloppy Joe's, 201 Duval Street, will have a Hemingway birthday party on July 21, beginning at 9 A.M. and lasting until 4 A.M. There will be live music and a 500-pound birthday cake ($1 a slice). Information: (305) 294-5717. The Hemingway Look-Alike Contest will be held at Sloppy Joe's (preliminaries at 7 P.M. July 22 and 23, with finals at 7 P.M. on July 24). The Running of the Bulls (with "bulls" made of beer kegs and wood) will also be on July 24, at 2 P.M., as will a parade to a twilight party at the Hemingway House, and an all-day Caribbean Street Fair on Duval Street.

Among the other events are a three-day marlin-fishing tournament, beginning July 22 -- information (305) 292-2710 -- and a series of literary workshops and readings by various writers (including Lorian Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway's granddaughter) and lectures on Hemingway and on writing in general.

Information: the Hemingway Days Festival, (305) 294-2918.