by Shayne Benowitz
A Fantasy Fest Float with a Presidential Mobile.
If you’ve never been to Key West during Fantasy Fest, it’s truly one of those things you should experience at least once… or in my case, three times, and for plenty others many more times than that. Parties are hosted all week at different bars around town all leading up to the Saturday night Fantasy Fest Parade.
Festivities kick off with Goombay and build momentum from there. Notable parties include Monday night’s Plaid Party at Captain Tony’s, Kelly’s Kinky Carnival on Tuesday, the very popular among Fury crew Red Party at Fogarty’s Wednesday night, and Sloppy Joe’s Toga Party on Thursday. Friday is an anything goes hodgepodge of costumed characters invading Duval Street and Saturday is the spectacular parade.
I have to say, I saw some amazing costumes this year and with the Pirates, Pundits, and Political Party Animals theme the streets were rife with political commentary. The Fury crew, as usual, pulled off some great costumes this year, too.
Scotty and Lisa as Caveman and Cavewoman.
Friday night after the Parade of Costumes, a band of Cavemen roamed the streets, led by parasail captain Scotty. That night the streets were slammed with Sarah Palin imitators, leather-clad Vixens, life size Bananas, Pirates, and of course tons of Political Party Animals.
Kenna and Shayne at the Parade party.
Saturday night, Stephen offered his house up as Parade Headquarters since his digs have a balcony overlooking the Duval Street route. My favorite costumes of the night included Kenna as a just bitten Vampire, Scotty sporting a giant hunk of Swiss cheese on his head with his girlfriend Lisa and her two sisters dressed as the Three Blind Mice, Kyle rocked a very psychedelic pirate suit, and a group of the guys rocked Ex-President masks. My absolute favorite costume of the night was Chad’s Mad Scientist in a white lab coat and white clown wig with giant black rubber gloves and sunglasses drinking his libation out of a beaker. What did I wear during Fantasy Fest? Well, I morphed from an Aquarium to a 1920’s Starlet to a Cavewoman to a Woman from the Future. What can I say, I love dressing up for Fantasy Fest!
Shayne Benowitz is a Fury crewmember and freelance writer working on her debut novel. For more travel stories and a daily dose of what’s cool around the globe visit her Wanderlust Website at http://web.me.com/shaynebeth.
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