New Years Eve '08

The gay community has managed to put Key West on the map to create our very own off-beat answer to New York City’s traditional ball drop in Times Square

Instead of seeing the packed masses shivering in Manhattan we throng around the 700 Block of Duval Street in shorts –and sometimes even less- to watch the sparkling giant red high heel bearing a lavishly gowned and coiffed Sushi as she is lowered from the second-story balcony of the Bourbon Street Complex toward the cheering crowds below.

For the past four years, the elegant Sushi, Christopher Peterson and a whole troop of local artists have traded on-air New Year’s Eve banter with Anderson Cooper and CNN correspondent John Zarrella

Of course as midnight strikes and 2008 officially begins, champagne corks fly and confetti flutters but the fun starts early in the evening and goes on well into New Years Day

These “shoe-nanigans” are just one of the events you can enjoy. There are incredible fireworks off White Street Pier, street parties and dances ranging from the coolest tracks to the hottest raunch.

For more information click: www.gaykeywestfl.com