KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) — Some came in wool fisherman’s sweaters, and other contestants had sportsmen’s attire. But it was the cream-colored sweater of attorney Jon Auvil that caught the eye of judges who awarded him the title for most resembling author and former Key West resident Ernest Hemingway.
Auvil triumphed Saturday night over 124 other contestants for the title in the annual Hemingway Look-Alike Contest at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, the Key West establishment where the author was a regular patron during his decade-long residence on the island in the 1930s.
“I think I feel most like Hemingway because of his relationship with his friends, his wife and his children,” said Auvil just after his victory. “I feel very, very rich right now.”
In this Saturday, July 23, 2022, photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, Jon Auvil, center, receives an Ernest Hemingway bust and congratulations after he won the 2022 Hemingway Look-Alike Contest at Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Key West, Fla. Left of Auvil is Joe Maxey, the 2019 winner, and at right is Fred Johnson, who won in 1986. Auvil, who finally won on his eighth attempt, beat 124 other entrants in the contest that was the highlight event of Key West’s annual Hemingway Days festival that ends Sunday, July 24. Hemingway lived and wrote in Key West during most of the 1930s. (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau via AP) 
In this Saturday, July 23, 2022, photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, Gerrit Marshall, right, endeavors to convince the judges he should win the 2022 Hemingway Look-Alike Contest at Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Key West, Fla. Marshall was selected among the best five of 125 entrants, but was not chosen in the finals. The contest was the highlight event of Key West’s annual Hemingway Days festival that ends Sunday, July 24. Hemingway lived and wrote in Key West during most of the 1930s. (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau via AP) 
In this Saturday, July 23, 2022, photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, Chris Dutton examines a cutout photo of a young Ernest Hemingway as he tries to convince the judges to name him the winner of the Hemingway Look-Alike Contest at Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Key West, Fla. Dutton was selected among best five of 125 entrants, but was not chosen in the final round. The contest was the highlight event of Key West’s annual Hemingway Days festival that ends Sunday, July 24. Hemingway lived and wrote in Key West during most of the 1930s. (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau via AP) 
In this Saturday, July 23, 2022, photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, Jon Auvil, center, grimaces as he receives congratulatory smooches from Joe Maxey, left, and Fred Johnson, right, after winning the 2022 Hemingway Look-Alike Contest at Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Key West, Fla. Auvil, who finally won on his eighth attempt, beat 124 other entrants in the contest that was the highlight event of Key West’s annual Hemingway Days festival that ends Sunday, July 24. Hemingway lived and wrote in Key West during most of the 1930s. Maxey won the contest in 2019 and Johnson was chosen in 1986. (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau via AP) 
In this Saturday, July 23, 2022, photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, supporters of Wayne Collins cheer for the entrant during the 2022 Hemingway Look-Alike Contest at Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Key West, Fla. Collins was not named a finalist in the contest that was the highlight event of Key West’s annual Hemingway Days festival that ends Sunday, July 24. Hemingway lived and wrote in Key West during most of the 1930s. (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau via AP)
Crowds of spectators cheered enthusiastically for their favorites as they paraded onstage at the bar and took turns speaking. Most entrants tried to emulate the author in his later-years “Papa” persona, with full beards, rugged demeanors and sportsman’s attire.
Some performed song parodies pleading to be named the 2022 winner. One finalist even accompanied himself on a harmonica.
As well as appearance, Auvil said he shared other traits with Ernest Hemingway including a love of fishing. He has also tried his hand at writing fiction and a bit of nonfiction.
The look-a-like contest is a highlight of Key West’s annual Hemingway Days celebration, which ended Sunday.
Auvil said he shares Hemingway’s passion for fishing, has written some fiction and would like to do more writing.
“Every man wants to write like Hemingway,” said Auvil, who lives in Dade City, Florida, northeast of Tampa.
“He represents a lot — romance, masculinity, sports, love of the sea, love of a woman, love of children … life.”
While living in Key West, Hemingway wrote classics, including “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “To Have and Have Not.”
Festival events included an offbeat “Running of the Bulls,” the three-day Key West Marlin Tournament and the conclusion of the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition directed by Ernest’s author granddaughter.
