In the fiesta that is the Hemingway lookalike competition the young also rises in Florida Keys.
Because as the much lamented Dolly Parton, who was overlooked even in her own competition, reminds us you need to stick out.
And so white beardie Hemingways have become just too difficult to separate.
Kudos then to Chris Dutton, who made history by becoming the first Young Hemingway to win Sloppy Joe’s 45th Annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest.
The Tampa native channeling Ernest’s earlier moustachioed days.
With, of course, the hairy top lip into the full bush face being a natural progression.
For all of us budding writers.
Importance of being Ernest
Now for those who wish to put their Hemingway credentials to the test and be judged by other Ernests.
Then pencil in July 21-26 at Hemingway’s hang-out Sloppy Joe’s in Key West.
The 39-year-old lawyer emerged from a field of 134 registered contestants, in two preliminary rounds.
Before defeating 23 other finalists to claim the title on his seventh attempt.
By making a pitch to the judges, or Papas.
All of whom evaluate resemblance to Hemingway, stage presence and character.
And the ability to represent a society devoted to preserving the celebrated author’s legacy.
A chunky white jumper
Now a good Hemingway chunky white jumper is sure to help.
And Chris had the very thing, a gift from an old Papa.
‘Papa David Douglas gave me this sweater,’ said Chris. ‘I’ve had it for a few years and I never told anybody.’
Now like the Great Man himself the Papas are famous for their generosity.
And after his first appearance at the lookalike contest, a past Papa invited him to Cuba.
Because a Papa is not just for Christmas, as somebody just said.
Papa’s brand new bag
Chris now moves from contestant to judge, helping select future winners.
And supporting the Hemingway Look-Alike Society’s scholarship program, which has awarded more than $350,000 to Florida Keys students.
He also becomes one of the tradition’s ambassadors, helping ensure Hemingway’s enduring influence.
Hemingway lived and wrote some of his most famous works in Key West through much of the 1930s.
And he was a regular at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, where the contest was held.
The annual contest remains the signature event of the six-day Hemingway Days celebration honouring the 127th anniversary of his July 21 birth.
