New Year’s Eve in Key West: A Wench, A Shell and A Drag Queen

You’re not in New York anymore, Toto.  As midnight approaches Friday, Dec. 31, Key West gets pretty bizarre.

Sushi the drag queen drops in this giant red high heel at midnight. New meaning to "walkin' after midnight?"

The arrival of 2011 is to be heralded on the island’s Duval Street with the “drop” of a gigantic manmade conch shell, the symbol of the Florida Keys, to the flat roof of Sloppy Joe’s Bar, 201 Duval. Thousands of spectators gather for the annual gala, emceed by a rooftop host and featuring a countdown to midnight recorded on a huge clock. At midnight, the shell descends and cheers erupt. Live music on Sloppy Joe’s indoor stage is to round out the revelry.

Key West revelers also can welcome the New Year with Sushi — not the seafood sensation, but a sensational diva who has adopted its name. Female impersonator Sushi headlines the 14th annual celebration at the Bourbon St. Pub/New Orleans House complex, 724 Duval St. Wearing a dazzling gown and perched in a super-sized red high heel, Sushi is to be lowered from the balcony of the complex as the new year arrives. Performances by renowned female impersonators kick off the merrymaking.

Scallywags from around the globe scurry over to Schooner Wharf to see the Pirate Wench "drop in" for a new year.

For piratical partiers, the action is headquartered in Key West’s Historic Seaport. At midnight, a winsome pirate wench is to descend from the top of a tall ship’s mast as cannon blasts welcome 2011. Scallywags in attendance also can expect live music, dancing and festivities at the Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St.