April in the Keys: Bridge Runs, a Mock Sea Battle, and the Conch Republic

April is the month where the Keys calendar stops making sense to outsiders. A serious footrace over open ocean one Saturday. A ten-day celebration of a joke secession the next. A 300-foot "bridge run" in costume somewhere in between. Snowbirds start pointing their cars north, the humidity still behaves, and late April quietly becomes the best value month of the year.

Here is what matters.

1. Seven Mile Bridge Run (Sat, Apr 11)

The 45th annual, 6:45am start from Knight's Key. Roughly 1,500 runners crossing the whole bridge over open water. It sells out in minutes every year, so if you are reading this without a bib, you are spectating.

• Local Tip (the important part): the bridge closes to vehicle traffic that morning. If you have Lower Keys plans, drive early or wait it out. Post-race, Marathon's breakfast spots fill with runners. Join them.

2. Conch Republic Independence Celebration (Apr 17 to 26)

Ten days celebrating Key West's tongue-in-cheek 1982 "secession" from the United States. Parades, pirates, a street fair, and the famous Great Sea Battle in the harbor, where the Conch Republic Navy attacks the Coast Guard with water cannons and Cuban bread. Yes, bread.

Key dates: kickoff and conch shell blowing at Schooner Wharf (Apr 17), the parade (Apr 23), sea battle victory party (Apr 24), Pirates' Ball (Apr 25).

• Local Tip: The sea battle is the one locals actually turn out for. Watch free from the harbor walk or the Schooner Wharf deck. Do not drive into Old Town during Conch Republic week. Bike, walk, or stay home.

3. Cow Key Channel Bridge Run (Sun, Apr 19)

The answer to the previous weekend's seriousness: a "0K" across the 300-foot Cow Key bridge on the Stock Island line, in costume, for charity. Registration is about ten bucks. Spectating is half the point, and showing up in something ridiculous is basically required.

4. Mote's Ocean Fest (Sat, Apr 25)

Free marine-conservation festival at Truman Waterfront Park, 11am to 4pm, hosted by Mote Marine Laboratory. Exhibits, games, live music, local brews, proceeds to coral restoration. One of the better free kid-friendly events of the spring. Bring sunscreen and a refillable bottle; Truman has no shade.

5. Late Month Preview: Songwriters Festival Starts Apr 29

The Key West Songwriters Festival runs April 29 through May 3. Over a hundred Nashville writers playing rounds in bars and theaters across Old Town, most of it free. Next month's post has the full breakdown, but if you are in town the last weekend of April, you are already in it.

The April Short List

• Morada Way Art Walk (Thu, Apr 16, 6 to 9pm), Islamorada. Green Turtle or Florida Keys Brewing after.
• Tarpon season is on. The migration is rolling through the bridges and backcountry flats right now. Even if you do not fish, walk the old Seven Mile Bridge at dusk and watch the silver kings roll.
• Last full month for stone crab. Season ends mid-May. Get your claws in.
• Grouper is closed through April 30 on the Atlantic side. Do not be that guy at the fillet table.

Enjoy the quiet while it lasts. May brings the songwriters, and June brings the heat.