Steve Martin, Gabourey Sidibe, Andrea Bocelli

mary lou race, age 71, Panama City Beach, Florida

How did you get into blowing conch shells?

When we moved here from Nashville 20 years ago, we met an old diver named Captain Scuba at a Mardi

Gras parade. He told me you’ve got to blow to give glory to the Creator, so I bought a shell from him that I call Buffett. I’m keeping his tradition alive.

Did you use Buffett in the championship?

I blew four different shells: one for loudness, one for length, and two others to show the sounds of the different sizes. I’m not that talented in making a variety of sounds. I can just make the sound last quite a while—and quite loud as well.

But you’re 71! What’s your secret?

Taking a deep breath as if I were going to swim underwater. You hold your breath and the shape of your lips, then let the horn do the work.

Who was your fiercest competition?

A young lady who performed on a surfboard. A guy in front and a guy in back carried her to the stage. She was doing the hula and blowing the conch shell. I was dumbfounded.

We heard that you had extra motivation this year.

Yes. Just before they called me up onstage, my boyfriend, Rick, got on his knee and proposed. I was at a loss for words, so I just blew the conch shell. And then I said yes.

The Key West Conch Shell Blowing Contest takes place every March. Race won the women’s division in 2013 and 2018.