KEY WEST, Fla. -- Mild temperatures and a red-hot shoe drop greeted thousands of revelers in Key West, Florida this New Year's Eve as they packed one of the island's most iconic streets to ring in 2026.  

But this year, there was a twist — a nationwide contest determined who would ride that glittering high heel down to Duval Street when the clock struck midnight. 

Mulan Alexander, a Dallas native, won that coveted spot through the "If the Shoe Fits" contest — beating finalists from five other cities to become the star of one of Key West's most unique and quirky New Year's Eve celebrations. 

It was the first time in Key West's 28-year history of the Red Shoe Drop, that a contest decided the star of this high heel hurrah! 

Curious crowds gathered outside the Bourbon St. Pub on Key West's famed Duval Street to witness Alexander's highly anticipated descent. The celebration is one of Key West's warmer-weather takeoffs on the traditional New Year's Eve "ball drop" in New York City's Times Square. 

The contest, presented by Bourbon Street Pub/New Orleans House, Visit Florida Keys, and STOLI Vodka, toured five cities across the country: Dallas, Los Angeles, New York City, Fort Lauderdale, and Key West. 

Winners from each city were flown to Key West for the October 4 finale, where they competed alongside a "wild card" finalist selected from the runners-up. Alexander emerged victorious over first runner-up CC Glitzer, and second runner-up Beatrix Dixie, a local Key West performer.  

The night's festivities featured live performances by local and national entertainers. But the real star of the show was Alexander, who presided over the celebration while sitting pretty in the giant red shoe suspended from the second-story balcony, approximately 15 feet above Duval Street. 

Seconds before midnight, Alexander was carefully lowered in the shoe toward the street below. As the clock struck midnight and the descent was completed, thousands of revelers erupted in cheers. 

"This is better than any roller coaster I've ever been on — it's really thrilling," said Alexander from her perch above the crowd. "I'm nervous and excited at the same time." 

Other quirky countdowns throughout Key West included: 

• The debut of the Chicken Drop at Bobby's Balls Bar, featuring a huge chicken figure honoring the island's iconic free-ranging roosters and hens.
• A Key lime wedge splashing into a larger-than-life margarita glass at Sunset Pier.
• The lowering of a pirate wench from atop a tall ship's mast at Schooner Wharf Bar in the Historic Seaport.
• The "landing" of a flight attendant in a replica aircraft section at the birthplace of Pan American World Airways.
• Watching a gigantic man-made conch shell, the symbol of the Florida Keys, descend to the roof of Sloppy Joe's Bar during the 32nd annual Conch Shell Drop. 

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Contacts: Mary B. Haban, Mary@fla-keys.com (813) 210-8585 or Chad Newman, Chad@fla-keys.com (310) 283-8441