Florida in the Popular Imagination

<p> This book provides the first critical discussion of popular culture in Florida which began drawing winter visitors before the Civil War and now boasts more than a hundred million visitors annually. These essays explore many facets of Florida's culture examining such topics as the ever-present specters of Mickey Shamu and other theme park staples; early tourist sites enjoyed by tin-can campers before the ubiquitous megaparks elbowed out more organically Floridian attractions; Key West as a mecca of queer culture; the infamous relationship between Key West and its favorite son Ernest Hemingway; and an overview of several iconic Florida institutions including Bike Week the Daytona 500 and Spring Break. The work concludes with a look at Florida's role in the highly controversial presidential election of 2000.</p>