What EXACTLY is the Mallory Square sunset celebration?

[imgoingtodisney]

Is it like Mardi Gras where people are drinking on the streets? If so, where do people get these drinks? If no, it seems to come across that way at times
I know there's different entertainers, etc

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

See http://www.sunsetcelebration.org/

The performers work for tips from those who watch their performances. They are not paid by the City of Key West or by the cruise lines or by any other organization (so bring some cash, and reward the performers whose work you enjoy).

I don't know know about drinking. About ten years ago, on a (non-Disney) crusise that included Key West, we had to depart from the port before the Celebration began. According to the Web site, the vendors don't sell alcohol -- but I wouldn't be surprised if visitors carry in alcohol. Any recent cruisers who know?

 

[snelsonbrown]

Beer is sold at the sunset at $8.00 a glass - my suggestion - go somewhere and buy a drink - Mallory Square Sunset celebration was started many years ago by the Flower children as their way of expressing their love of life - they would gather at mallory square with dancing, singing, and bowing to the sun as it dipped into the silvery blue water of the Gulf - this caught on and as the flower children left, the county decided hummmmmmm now this is a tourist attraction -----the entertainers came in by the dozens, vendors came in also ----at first they were not charged any fees, but as anything good, it got out of hand and had to try and control all the foolishness, they are not charged a fee - be prepared to pay high at Mallory Square for drinks, food etc - of course I know this for when I do go down to Mallory square, I myself, overpaid and I should know better, I am a conch - do I like the sunset - my gosh I was raised with the sunrise and sunsets and never realized how awesome it was until i did witness the flowerchildren - do I go anymore - nope too crowded - do I think it is worth it? YES YES YES
Ok just another tidbit about Key West
Always
Shirley

 

[imgoingtodisney]

If we buy a drink at a nearby bar are we allowed to walk out with it? Like for instance Hogs Breath or Hard Rock?

 

[max123]

We have vacationed in the Keys for the last 15 or so years and make our annual trek to Mallory's Sq for the sunset celebration.

Each year the sunset is different, even hard to see at times now that they have homes on Sunset Key.

This year the only time we have visited Key West was on the Magic. We hung out by the Hyatt and had drinks and watched the Cat Man. If you have kids this is a must see for them.

We have watched this man perform for years. He is funny and he and the house cats will put on an amusing show.

But the best part of our Sunset Celebration this year was when the Magic blew her horn at sunset.

This is how we ended up on the Magic this year. last year we actually vacationed in the heart of Key for a few weeks and my DD saw and heard the Magic each time she was in port and got hooked.

Have a good trip.