KEY WEST, Florida Keys - Dozens of contestants are to blow their own horns in Key West Saturday, March 2. The 51st annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest is expected to draw entrants ranging in age from toddlers to seniors, all testing their pucker power on fluted conch shell “horns.” They’ll take turns squawking, bleating or possibly even tootling something resembling music when the celebration of Key West’s cultural heritage begins at noon in the tropical garden of the Oldest House Museum, 322 Duval St.

Blowing into the pink-lined mollusk shells was a tradition even before the island’s settlement in the early 1800s. Natives from the Calusa tribe blew conch shells to communicate over distance, and early sailors are said to have used them as foghorns. Nineteenth-century shipwreck salvagers blew blasts to signal when a sinking ship was spotted. 

Today, the chewy meat of the conch appears on local restaurant menus in chowder and fritters, two of the Florida Keys’ signature dishes. The shell itself has become a symbol of the Keys, often called the Conch Republic.

In the quirky “conch honk” contest, winners are chosen in multiple age groups for the quality, duration, loudness and novelty of the sounds they make. Musical ability is not required (or often displayed), though a few past “pucker pros” have produced portions of melodies ranging from “Flight of the Bumblebee” to rock classics. 

Sponsored by the Old Island Restoration Foundation, the fun-filled competition is free to enter and watch. Contestants can register at the Oldest House from 10:30 a.m. to noon March 2 or at the event itself if space is still available. The competition runs from noon to 2 p.m. Those lacking their own “instruments” can purchase conch shells on site.

Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival

As Colorado completes its transformation into a winter wonderland, the destination features special celebrations and festivals, ranging from ski joring competitions to a milestone winter carnival. Following are some of the top winter festivals for Colorado in winter 2013. 

WinterBike, Copper (January 19). Winner of the NSAA’s “Most Unique Event” in 2012, the 2nd annual festival encourages participants to slip, slide and ride their way through Copper Village to a finish line celebration complete with fireworks. The kids can join in the fun this year with LittleBike, the free kids-only ride. Registration for WinterBike is $20.

Winter Brew Fest, Denver (January 25). A celebration of craft beverages from around Colorado and beyond, the Winter Brew Fest features live local music, food tastings, and other entertainment.

Snowdown, Durango (January 30 – February 3). Celebrate snow at Durango’s annual quirky winter festival, where this year’s theme is “Get Your Geek On” iSnowdown 2.0.13. Guests will enjoy more than 60 unique and zany events: evening torchlight parade, ski softball tournament, Snowdown Balloon Rally, wine tasting, beard growing contest, Snowdown Follies, Bed Race, a magnificent fireworks show and more.

Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival, Steamboat Springs (February 6 – 10). This historic winter festival, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2013, pays tribute to the area’s skiing and ranching heritage and is a celebration of all things winter. Events include: the snow sculpture contest, ski races, snow tubing, live entertainment and performances by the Steamboat Springs High School marching band — the world’s only marching band on skis. The event also supports continued athletic development and education for competitors involved in Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, the oldest and largest winter sports club in the country.

WinterFest Weekend, Pagosa Springs (February 7 – 10). Join in three snow-filled days of fun as Pagosa Springs celebrates winter. Some events include Nordic races for kids and adults, Anything Goes Downhill Sled Race, Snow Sculpting Contest, Snowshoe Stop and more.

Telluride’s Gay Ski Week, Telluride (February 23 – March 3). This spirited yet unpretentious week offers a unique blend of top-rate skiing and entertaining events. From the Academy Awards watching party, to the popular White Night Party, ski week guests will enjoy 10 days of skiing and events.

The Ski Joring & Crystal Carnival, Leadville (March 1 – 3). Ski joring is a competition where a horse and rider pull a skier at a fast pace through a course that features gates, jumps and rings. The skier is timed through the course, and penalties are assessed by missing gates or jumps, and by missing or dropping any of the rings. Additional activities include a children’s parade, Nordic and winter mountain bike races and more.

Big Air on Elk, Crested Butte (March 9). Each year, Crested Butte is home to an epic ski jumping competition in the middle of its downtown. A snowmobile tows top local skiers and snowboarders, launching them off of a five-story, park-style jump at Third Street and Elk Avenue.