Fantasy Fest was initiated in 1979 by Bill Conkle, Tony Falcone, Joe Liszka and Frank Romano to attract tourists during the slow season.[1][2] In 1995 over 60,000 people attended and there were 70 floats, bands, costumed groups and "imprecision drill teams" in the parade.[3] In 2001 Fantasy Fest was estimated to bring $35 million to the region each year.[4][non-primary source needed]
The highlight of Fantasy Fest is its parade featuring humorous floats, including one carrying the annually elected Conch King and Queen. The floats can be quite elaborate; costs can be $10,000 to $15,000.[5] The expense for the floats is borne fully by the participant groups (called krewes) and their sponsors.[1][5]
In October 2005, the event was postponed because of devastation wrought on the island by Hurricane Wilma; instead of being held at its usual time close to Halloween, it was moved to December and celebrated just before Christmas.[6] The theme that year was "Freaks, Geeks and Goddesses."
2020 was to be in its 42nd year. However, that year's event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and deferred to 2021.
Fantasy Fest has been compared to New Orleans Mardi Gras and Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.[1] As with New Orleans Mardi Gras on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Fantasy Fest tend to attract many people to the concentration of bars along Duval Street. Most of the event is adult oriented, however, there are family friendly events.[7] Nudity is illegal in Key West, but on the last two days of Fantasy Fest the city designates a "Fantasy Zone" in the city where women may expose their breasts if they are covered with body paint.[8] Costumes worn at Fantasy Fest often feature nudity and sexual symbolism.[1]
The King and Queen of Fantasy Fest are annual titles bestowed at the Coronation Ball, a fundraiser for a community AIDS care service, that marks the official beginning of the event.[1] The king and queen are residents of Key West, Florida, selected via an 8-week fundraising campaign.
Their Royal Court is subsequently composed of fellow Candidates who didn't raise as much, but are still honored with the titles of Duke and Duchess (and, one rare instance, Prince and Princess).[citation needed] For 8 weeks, these Candidates serve as ambassadors for AIDS Help, the non-profit agency that has assisted those living with HIV/AIDS in the Keys since 1986.
A wildly-varied array of events are individually staged by Candidates, as well as All-Candidate events that unite the campaigns, including a spin on the 'America Idol' singing competition, a randy and raucous Sunday BINGO, a Saturday Red Shirt Run in September and mixers at familiar island venues.
The Royal Court, their support staff and other key agency supporters all appear prominently in the evening Duval Street parade on a float designed specifically to highlight their financial achievement.
Events
Goombay - a two-day street party held in Key West's Bahama Village neighborhood. It is named after the Goombay goatskin drums that generate the party's rhythms and celebrates the heritage of Key West's large Bahamian population with food, art and a lot of dancing.[2][non-primary source needed]
The Royal Coronation Ball - where the Conch King and Queen are crowned.[1]
Zombie Bike Ride: family-friendly event involving costume and bicycle decoration.
Tutu Tuesday: adult costume party with tutu dress code.
^"Halloween in December". The Advocate. 6 December 2005. p. 26 – via Gale: General OneFile.
^ abInterview: Andy Newman discusses Wilma putting damper on `Fantasy Fest 2005' (Transcript of radio broadcast). Talk of the Nation. Conan, Neal (host). NPR. 19 October 2005.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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