SLOPPY JOE'S BAR - KEY WEST, FLORIDA

RON THOMAS NAMED 2002 PAPA

Sloppy Joe’s 22nd Annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest that draws white-bearded men from all over the world to Key West, FL was held July 18-21st.

Beating out 152 contestants to take top honors as the 2002 Hemingway Look-Alike was Ron Thomas from Phoenix, AZ.

“Why did I win?” Because I look like Hemingway.” Thomas said.

Thomas is a cartoonist and owner of a men’s hairstyling shop. Utilizing his skills as artist and barber, he has crafted his style over the last six years he’s entered the annual event.

Papa 2002 - Ron Thnomas, Phoenix, AZ
Papa 2002
Ron Thomas, Phoenix, AZ
Past Winners

Photo by:
Mike Hentz/The Citizen

The contest had preliminary rounds on Thursday and Friday nights with finalists advancing to the finals on Saturday.

Sloppy Joe’s 22nd Annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest This year’s Thursday night preliminary finalists were: Larry Austin, Palm Harbor, FL; John Clifford, Marathon, FL; Bob Doughty, Deerfield Beach, FL; Paul Gagnon, Punta Gorda, FL; Wally Hynes, Tavernier, FL; Ron Lewicki, Midlothian, VA; Bob Orlin, St. Cloud, FL; Roger Rhines; Mike Stack, East Chester, NY; John Stubbings, Kill Devil Hills, NC; and Ron Thomas, Phoenix, AZ.

Friday night preliminary finalists were: Harry Ahrens; Charles Bicht, Vero Beach, FL; Richard Bliss, Clearwater, FL; Dean Busch; Tom Chadwick, Vero Beach, FL; Denis Goldin, Gloucester, MA; Tom Grizzard, Leesburg, FL; Pete McClaughin, Sunshine, MD; Chris Storm, Armarillo, TX; Kevin Sullivan, New York, NY; Thomas Taylor, Weston, FL; and Capt. Dave Vaught, Long Boat Key, FL.

The 23 finalists were given a few minutes on stage to plea their case on why they should be named Papa 2002.

Thomas chose to wear many different hats. Literally. Wearing a wool fisherman’s sweater, he rotated a fishing hat, safari hat, and so on, to prove to the judges his resemblance of Ernest Hemingway.

Sloppy Joe’s 22nd Annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest
Photo by: Mike Hentz/The Citizen

All judges are previous look-alike winners and members of Sloppy Joe’s non-profit Hemingway Society.

Other events included the Running of the Bulls and Key Lime Pie Eating contest on Saturday.

Wrapping up the festivities was the Arm Wrestling contest on Sunday with two weight divisions for women and five for men.

Photos by: Andy Newman, Florida Keys TDC

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