To follow, or not to follow the Fantasy Fest theme? That is the question. Well, it is totally up to you. If the theme turns you on, then go for it. If you are not feeling it, then anything goes. We rarely embrace the 10-day festival’s theme, but it always gets our creative wheels turning.
We just heard that the theme for Key West’s Fantasy Fest 2015 will be All Hallows Eve Intergalactic Freak Show ™. It got us to thinking about our favorite Fantasy Fest themes from years gone by. We came up with our top ten favorites. Perhaps one will ignite a spark of costume creativity for you.
TOP 10 PAST KEY WEST FANTASY FEST THEMES
10. 1988’s Fantasy Fest B.C. ™
9. 1985’s Broadway Fantasies ™
8. 2008’s Pirates, Pundits and Political Party Animals ™
7. 1992’s Halloween in the Devil’s Triangle ™
6. 1983’s Plays of Tennessee Williams
5. 2001’s Secrets of the Zodiac Revealed ™
4. 1984’s 50 Years of Film Fantasy ™
3. 2009’s Villains, Vixens, and Vampires ™
2. 2000’s Circuses and Sideshows ™ ★1. 2011’s Aquatic Afrolic ™
We love Key West’s annual Fantasy Fest! Although we go all out for our Christmas celebration, Fantasy Fest takes the cake. We often refer to it—tongue-in-cheek of course— as our High Holy Days. Every year before the 10-day celebration comes to an end, we are already planning our costumes for the next year and looking forward to enjoying the revelry with houseguests and friends.
Our festivities kicked off on Friday, October 17th with the Royal Coronation Ball on the water at the Southernmost Beach Café. We always love the camaraderie as Key West Locals turnout to thank and support the candidates for King and Queen of Fantasy Fest that have worked so diligently raising money for AIDS Help. As usual, the homespun stage show did not disappoint; leaving us with a year’s worth of stories to tell.
One of our favorite Fantasy Fest events is the relatively new We Cycle Bike Shop’s Zombie Bike Ride. Created by Marky Pierson, Evan Haskell, and Chris Needham in 2009, the Zombie Bike Ride has quickly grown from a couple hundred people to an epic 10,000 undead riders this year! We were thrilled with the new starting location at the East Martello Fort where we could not get enough of the incredibly creative costumes. The amazingly high number of spectators lining the parade route, the perfect October weather, and the memorable time spent with friends, made for a perfect Sunday evening.
The best people watching of the week could be found at Kelly’s Kinky Karnival at Kelly’s Caribbean Bar, Grill & Brewery on Monday night. We love that this annual event is a true costume party. Everyone must have on a “kinky costume” in order to enter. No doubt, we spied Water and Mary Jo for Omaha working their best Dominatrix and Leather Man gear.
The Masquerade March on Friday was undoubtedly the highlight of our week. Friends gathered at our home on Olivia Street to gear up for the annual people’s parade. We were knocked out by the extraordinary costumes on display. Starting at the far end of the Key West Cemetery, we joined thousands and thousands of costumed revelers strolling through the heart of Old Town. Stopping countless time to get our picture snapped, we could not help but feel like Britney Spears walking a rock and roll red carpet!
With “The Fat Lady Sings” Tea Dance on Sunday evening at the new and improved La Te Da, our amazing week of fun and frolic came to a close. Knowing we would soon wave goodbye to our out-of-town friends, our tinge of sadness was overshadowed by our happy memories of Fantasy Fest 2014.
We love this charming transient rental cottage that just came on the market! Located on one of the most beautiful streets in Old Town, 617 Southard Street is ideally situated just one and a half blocks from the heart of Duval Street. If you are looking to invest in a furnished turnkey property—with a transient license and an established rental history—you should definitely give us a call.
Upon entering the classic white picket gate, your guests will know that they will be enjoying a quintessential Key West cottage. They can watch the world stroll by from the inviting front porch, just off the spacious master suite. Casual island-style furnishings adorn the light-filled, open plan living room and kitchen. A wall of glass opens to a covered dining veranda overlooking the sparkling pool and tropical garden. With a ground floor guest room, guest bath, and an upstairs sleeping loft, there is plenty of breathing room for family and friends in this unforgettable vacation rental.
With the best of Key West charm and indoor/outdoor island living, 617 Southard Street will undoubtedly keep your renters coming back year after year.
Just steps from the Southernmost Point sits one of the most elegant homes currently on the market. For anyone desiring a beautifully renovated, move-in-ready, historic Key West home, 405 South Street is not to be missed.
Prominent Florida judge J. Vining Harris—builder of Key West’s world famous landmark “Southernmost House”—built the home at 405 South Street in 1910 and gave it to his daughter as a wedding gift in 1913. When Key West mayor Delio Cabo (1957-1961) owned the house, he installed the exquisite stairway railing that had previously adorned the island’s Old City Hall. In 2000, the home was meticulously renovated by architect Guillermo Orozco and was awarded the Star of Excellence from the Historic Florida Keys Foundation.
The home seamlessly blends historic details and traditional design with the best of contemporary living. The first floor features a wraparound front porch, an impressive entry hall, spacious double parlors, a formal dining room, a den with casual dining, and a gorgeous kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. We love the Brazilian hardwood floors as well as the original moldings and doors. The second floor offers three bedrooms and an ocean view balcony. The grandkids will be in heaven in the third floor’s grand sleeping loft. With off street parking for multiple cars, a garage with an upstairs apartment, and room for a swimming pool in the garden, this home is a true Key West treasure.
Keith & Dean
Click here to enjoy a virtual tour of this historic Key West home.