FLORA-BAMA
Any overview of “the Key,” as we locals call
it, would be incomplete without mentioning the
world-famous Flora-Bama Lounge. With spectacular
water frontage on both the north and south sides
of the island, this honky tonk/restaurant/spiritual
experience (they offer church on Sunday)/laid
back hangout is the Key’s most iconic hotspot.
They have constant live music at multiple venues
on the property and occasional big names like
Kenny Chesney, who threw a free beach concert for
30,000 of us (yes, I was there) a few years back.
The Bama’s commitment to pure live music goes
ballistic with the Frank Brown Songwriters’ Festival
every November, when more than 100 creative
troubadours, many from Nashville fame, “tune” in
on the beach. The festival has been a staple since
1984 and attracts serious music aficionados. Besides
music, the Bama serves up numerous bizarre
gatherings year-round like Bulls on the Beach in
September. Real bulls and real cowboys show off
their skills to an inebriated crowd. Yet, no other ritual
is more popular to the wild masses than the annual
Mullet Toss in April. Some 40,000 funky folks make
the pilgrimage to throw a slimy fish across the state
line, which proves that people are easily entertained
when alcohol is involved. Over the years, the Mullet
Toss has propelled into stardom with help from
celebrities, including the late, great Kenny Stabler,
from nearby Foley, Alabama, who played for Bear
Bryant and won Super Bowl XI under the tutelage of
coach John Madden. At one point, Stabler held the
record for the longest fish toss, but that record may
have been broken. Who knows and who really cares,
as long as the fun keeps on flying!
More than 300 years ago, the Spanish sought out this paradise.
I only hope that 300 years from now, Perdido Key will still maintain its
charm, authenticity and pristine parks. I’m pretty sure the Flora-Bama
will still be cooking with live music and its famous bushwackers.
PERDIDO KEY LODGING
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
COMPANIES
Eden Condominiums
(850) 492-3336
edencondominiums.com
Key Concepts Realty
(850) 492-5462
gulfcoastarea.com
Lost Key Golf Club
(850) 549-2160
lostkey.com
Luxury Coastal Vacations
(850) 332-5120
luxurycoastalvacations.com
Meyer Vacation Rentals
(251) 968-7516 • (866) 382-9635
Needle Rush Point
(850) 492-2180
Perdido Bay Golf Club
Cottages on the Green
(850) 492-1223
perdidobaygolf.com
Perdido Key Resort Management
(850) 492-9999
perdidokeyflorida.com
Perdido Realty Vacations, LLC
(850) 492-1102
perdidokey.com
Purple Parrot Village Resort
(850) 492-9999
Vacasa – Perdido Key
(850) 275-5100/(800) 467-3529
vacasa.com/usa/perdido-key
Southern Vacation Rentals –
Perdido Key
(800) 406-5714
southernresorts.com/perdido-key
CAMPING AND RV PARKS
Big Lagoon State Park
(850) 492-1595
floridastateparks.org/park/
big-lagoon
Gulf Islands National Seashore –
Johnson Beach
(850) 934-2600
nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/camping.htm
Perdido Cove RV Resort and Marina
(850) 492-7304
perdidokeyrv.com
Flora-Bama
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