Pint-Sized Papa Steals the Spotlight at Hemingway Look-Alike Contest
FLORIDA KEYS VIDEO ADVISORY July 25, 2025
Contacts: Mary B. Haban, Mary@fla-keys.com (813) 210-8585
Chad Newman, Chad@fla-keys.com (310) 283-8441
Story: Pint-Sized Papa Steals the Spotlight at Hemingway Look-Alike Contest
Locator: Key West, Fla.
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B-roll and photos of the preliminary round of the Ernest Hemingway Look-Alike Contest in Key West, Fla. on July 24, 2025.
TRT: 2:07
Filename: HemingwayLook-AlikeContest.mp4
Video source: Florida Keys News Bureau
Producer Note: 6-year old’s name is Keefer Haynie (Hey-Knee)
Photos & Captions: Below
Key West, Fla. – A packed house erupted in cheers in Key West Thursday night to show support for dozens of hopefuls as they tried to channel their inner Ernest Hemingway.
More than 60 men, some bearded, some stocky, and some extremely young, strutted across the stage to complete in the 44th Annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest in Key West.
The contenders…and crowd…did not disappoint!
They held up homemade signs and screamed as they rooted for their favorites at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, the Duval Street saloon where Hemingway often relaxed.
But it was a feisty 6-year-old from Baton Rouge, named Keefer Haynie (PROUNOUCED “Hey Knee”) who made quite the impression. As the youngest contestant to ever compete in this contest, he took an unconventional path to winning over the judges, and it paid off. His signature moves secured him a spot in the semi-final round, which is happening Saturday.
The judging involved more than looking like Hemingway. In fact, the judges, all past winners, scored each contestant on their ability to capture Hemingway’s charming personality, adventurous spirit and passion for life.
The look-alike challenge is a highlight of Key West’s annual Hemingway Days, a celebration that honors the timeless legacy of Nobel Prize-winning author Ernest “Papa” Hemingway, who lived in Key West in the 1930s.
Ernest Hemingway wrote some of his most enduring classics during his Key West years including “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “To Have and Have Not.” Hemingway Days continues through Sunday with events including a mock “Running of the Bulls”, a street fair and the Key West Marlin Tournament.
To learn more about this whimsical week, visit HemingwayDays.com.
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A feisty six-year-old from Baton Rouge, La., stole the show during the Hemingway Look-Alike Contest at Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Key West, Fla., on July 24, 2025. Keefer Haynie is the youngest person to ever compete in the contest in its 44-year history and his cuteness factor secured him a spot in the semi-finals. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Mark Hedden/Florida Keys News Bureau).
Chris Morris of Sugarloaf Key, Fla., was cheered on by a lively group of supporters during the first round of the 44th annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest at Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Key West, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Like many contestants, Morris brought his own fan base to the event, part of the island’s Hemingway Days festival, celebrating the legendary author since 1981. He advanced to the semifinal round, set for Saturday, July 25. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Mark Hedden/Florida Keys News Bureau).
Jeff Ownby of Green Cove Springs, Fla., makes his case to co-host Meghan Baker and a panel of judges, as to why he should be crowned the next “Papa” during the 44th annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest in Key West. Fellow contestant Collin Cope of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina joined him in advancing to the semi-final round of judging, set for Saturday, July 26, 2025. The long-running contest draws look-alikes and fans from around the world. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Mark Hedden/Florida Keys News Bureau).