Nearly 150 stocky, bearded men, resembling legendary American author Ernest Hemingway, are in Key West competing in the 38th annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest.
The competition began Thursday evening at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, frequented by Hemingway when he lived on the Florida island during the 1930s.
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Hopefuls came from as far away as Australia and Norway to compete, parading across Sloppy Joe’s stage before a adjudicating panel of former winners.
Thursday’s entrants included repeat contender Michael Groover, husband of celebrity chef Paula Deen, who cheered him from the audience.
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The contest highlights Key West’s Hemingway Days festival, celebrating the late author’s writing talent and colourful lifestyle.
After a second preliminary round Friday, the 2018 winner is to be chosen Saturday, the 119th anniversary of Hemingway’s birth.
Hemingway Days continues through Sunday.