Posted on 01/14/2021 1:30:07 PM PST by nickcarraway
Ernest Hemingway look-alikes are being used by the Florida Keys tourism council to encourage visitors and residents to wear masks to protect against COVID-19.
The men, a former winner and five regular contestants in Key West’s annual “Papa” Hemingway Look-Alike Contest, appear in a short video that debuted Monday evening on Keys’ social media outlets, urging compliance with coronavirus health protocols.
“We look at Key West as being our adopted town,” said longtime contest entrant Dusty Rhodes in the video. “Help keep it safe. Wear your mask, socially distance, wash your hands.”
The piece was shot in front of the iconic Sloppy Joe’s Bar, a hangout for Hemingway when he lived and wrote on the island for most of the 1930s. The look-alikes wear masks over their signature white beards.
The video is part of the Keys tourism council’s ongoing “Play It Safe” video series promoting personal responsibility and health-protective measures to combat the global pandemic.
The look-alikes have a good reason for encouraging masking and other safety practices. COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the 40th annual “Papa” Hemingway Look-Alike Contest at Sloppy Joe’s last July. Organizers were concerned about staging the event amid packed crowds it would likely draw.
“And what would Papa say?” asked Joe Maxey, the contest’s 2019 winner, near the video’s conclusion.
“Wear your mask!” the look-alikes implore in unison.
My college Days in Key West at Sloppy Joes were awesome. I highly recommend Key West for a vacation.
I recommend the Keys in general, move about as they all have a little something to offer. That's why I drive from Ft. Lauderdale and stop somewhere on the Keys before landing in Key West.
Advice on how to stay alive? From the guy who killed himself?
What is it like?
Any have bullet holes?
If they’re wearing a mask...they don’t look like Hemingway.
“Play it safe”
Does that include protecting against STDs at those Florida Keys street parties?
But maybe they look like his father... who was a doctor.
Well if somebody wore a mask with an image of a shotgun blast to the face it would look like him.
It’s apropos that aged Hemingway impersonators would encourage unhealthy activities
Any have bullet holes?
—
He ate his shotgun
Cleanup at table #12
I just returned from a trip in Key West with some friends. Had an absolute blast!
You both get an LOL!
I’ve seen plenty of people down there over the years wearing masks. Of course, that is during fantasy fest.
LOL! Perfect. Irony, anyone?
I’ve been there many times and really enjoyed it. It’s like a different planet/country. Lots of independents (Conch Republic), gays, partiers, weirdos. Great food, fishing and music. I won’t return until the unmasking.
part marlin..
Where did you stay?
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