We were down there for Conch Republic Days and had heard about this battle that was supposed to take place down at the sunset docks. (If you do some research about Conch Republic Days, the silliness of it all will make a bit more sense, but it's just too much to put here). What we didn't know was that it was a massive seagoing food fight, involving the historic schooner fleet, the U.S. Coast Guard, and some airplanes with great aim! We got to the docks in the middle of the battle. Now, you've got to picture this. These antique schooners are passing each other very closely, firing off their canons with blanks, and the people on board are throwing fruit and tomatoes at each other.
Now the Coast Guard Cutters are out as well, and all hands are manning the rails, standing at attetion; that is, until the get within 'range' of any other ship. When they get within range, all hands reach down and start chucking tomatoes at the crews of the other ships! (So much for military stiffness!) Now, while this is going on, there are planes flying overhead, dropping what look like eggs with streamers attached down onto the ships at battle in the harbor. (That's gotta hurt!) When the crews got within 'range' of the docks, the spectators got into the act and threw stuff at the ships, only to be pelted in return. (Ducking behind the sunset celebration vendors was a good idea!) When the ships ran out of ammo after several passes, they resorted to water cannons, and the Coast Guard used their hoses to rinse everyone off. It was absolutely amazing and well worth the messiness! Between the "battle", the sunset celebration performers, and the nightly show that Mother Nature puts on, it was a great night!