33rd Annual
Papa Look-Alike Contest
July 18-20, 2013

Click here to download the 2013 entry form.

Please print out, complete form and mail to (with all fees)
Sloppy Joe’s, Attention: Donna Edwards
201 Duval Street, Key West, FL 33040
Check payable to: Sloppy Joe’s
$35 Registration Fee

Look-Alike Contest Guidelines:

Each preliminary round of the “Papa” Hemingway Look-Alike Contest will begin at 6:30PM, and finals 6:30pm in Sloppy Joe’s Bar (201 Duval Street) on three consecutive evenings, July 18-20, 2013. Look-Alikes must compete in one of the preliminary rounds in order to be eligible for the finals on Saturday.

Pre-register by mail is recommended, as space is limited to 75 contestants a night. Use the form above, print out form, complete information and mail it along with the indicated fees. Please indicate whether you will compete in the Thursday or Friday preliminary round. On the day of the contest, check in at the registration table near the stage at 5:00PM. All Look-Alike contestants receive a “Contestant” Hemingway Look-Alike t-shirt.

If not pre-registered, you may sign up prior to either preliminary round at Sloppy Joe’s if space is available.

Although the contest doesn’t begin until 6:30PM, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, spectators and some contestants arrive early in the afternoon. Remember that this is summer in Key West. The temperature on stage under the lights can get pretty hot, there will be hundreds of folks in and around the bar, there’s no reserved seating, and television crews will be jostling for the best camera angle. Basically its chaos, so please be patient.

Contestants will be called up on stage in groups of eight, in alphabetical order, and introduced to the audience. Contestants will have 15 seconds to speak to the judges and audience. If wearing a hat, contestant will be asked to remove hat so that judges will be able to see their face. We are looking for mature, heavy-set men with a full beard. However, several young Look-Alikes have participated and some have actually made it to the finals. Contestants participating in contest agree allow their image to be used by Sloppy Joe’s and media, and grant photo release (must sign above talent release form).

Approximately twelve finalists will be chosen on Thursday, and twelve on Friday to advance to the final round on Saturday. Finalists will be announced from stage and contestants will be asked to come on stage.

On Saturday, finalists will be called up on stage in groups of five and given one minute to present themselves to the judges.

The group will be narrowed down to five finalists. The five finalists will be announced one at a time and have two minutes to speak. Papa 2013 will be named from this group.

Judging is handled by former Look-Alikes winners.

Know your competition. The Look-Alikes arrive in “Hemingway Garb.” Some even wear safari outfits, khakis, and even the excruciating hot wool fisherman turtle neck sweater. Many entrants have been competing for years, be prepared. Some bring their own cheering squad. Others try to bribe the judges. Most contestants admit (confidentially) that they may never win, but return year after year for the fellowship.

Faithfully, the wives, known as the “Mama’s” spend their time and vacations promoting their Papas, and return to Key West each July for the event.

Note: Please do not bring any type of balloons they will not be allowed in bar. No animals/birds will be allowed on stage.

Sloppy Joe’s 32nd Annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest

July 19-21, 2012

PAPA 2012

Greg Fawcett, Cornelius, NC

Saturday, July 21, 2012 – Final Six Finalist List

Charlie Boice – Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Greg Fawcett – Cornelius, NC

Denis Golden – Rockport, MA

Frank Kramer – Siesta Key, FL

Pat Lanier – Hammond, LA

Tom Mitchell – Rock Hill, SC

 

Friday, July 20, 2012 – Round Two Finalists

Charles Amos – Jacksonville, FL

Roger Brule – Key Largo, FL

Jim Green – Marco Island, FL

Michael Groover – Savannah, GA

David Hemingway – Raleigh, NC

John Hough – Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Frank Kramer – Siesta Key, FL

Jack Krause – St. Louis, MO

Frank Louderback – Gulfport, FL

Tom Mitchell – Rock Hill, SC

Steve Peal – Wilton Manors, FL

Cliff Roles – Sarasota, FL

John “Woody” Wodraska – Jupiter, FL

Thursday, July 19, 2012 – Round One Finalists

Charlie Boice – Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Wally Collins – Phoenix, AZ

Greg Fawcett – Cornelius, NC

Richard Filip – Fayetteville, TX

Denis Golden – Rockport, MA

Bear Hoochuk – Apollo Beach, FL

Pat Lanier – Hammond, LA

Ed Lindoo – Stuart, FL

Bob Orlin – St. Cloud, FL

Stephen Terry – Palm Harbor, FL

Hank Wielgosz – Melbourne, FL

John “Hurricane Hemingway” Wilt – Lock Haven, PA

Visit the HLAS web site at:

www.hemingwaylookalikes.com

The Papa Look-Alike Contest: July 18-20, 2013

Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Key West will host its 33rd Annual Hemingway Look-Alike contest July 18-20, 2013. The contest is one of many events in Key West to celebrate the birthday of Ernest Hemingway and honor his work as author and sportsman.
The competition starts with the first preliminary round on Thursday, July 18th, second preliminary round on Friday, July 19th, and finals on Saturday, July 20th.

From each preliminary round finalists are chosen. Last year’s competition had 140 Look-Alikes taking the stage with 12 contestants from Thursday night preliminary and 13 from Friday night preliminary going on to the final round.
Look-Alikes are everywhere, it’s a load of fun! Come early, get a good seat and watch the competition.
After the finals, the party spills over into the streets, where the Street Fair on Duval continues with food, drinks, entertainment and fun for everyone!

The infamous Hemingway Look-Alike Society invites you to join the Society. They will be at Sloppy Joe’s to sign-up new members.

Visit the Hemingway Look-Alike Society (HLAS) web site at: www.hemingwaylookalikes.com

For information regarding Street Fair on Saturday, July 20th vendors should call Helpline, Inc.  305-292-8445.