Fantasy Fest

This is a famous Hemmingway six-toed cat. They are all over Key West. This guy was real friendly and I would have gladly brought him home with me, but Jimi said NO.
Check out this link on 6 toed cats.

 The Navy flies over us daily.

These guys are dive training for the Navy.

Fantasy Fest of Key West

Fantasy Fest is Florida's premier masking and costuming festival. People come from all around the country to participate or just watch. The festival lasts about ten days and can have between two and eight events each day. It's simply not possible to hit every event. 

This year's theme was Political Voodoo & Ballot Box Barbarians.

Bahama Goombay Festival 

October 22nd 

We first attended the Bahama Goombay Festival in Bahama Village, an area of Key West made up of Bahamian settlers. 

This exuberant street party featured island arts and crafts, music and food in the heart of Key West's historic entertainment stage located at the corner of Emma and Petronia streets and featured nonstop musical entertainment ranging from gospel to reggae.

A permanent sign.

Those look yummy!

Costumes and dancing - not everyone needs a costume to dance.

Brittany took every opportunity to dance and she had fun.

Passerbyers stopped in the intersection to get their dance on - everyone got involved.

The food smelled amazing.

This house is ready for the upcoming events - see the door behind the police car.

Food Art!

A local artist painting.

The food booths were endless.

The people were endless.

Zombie Bike Parade 

October 23rd

This was an annual, but unofficial event of the Fantasy Fest event. While the zombie bike parade isn't found on the events listing, the town recognizes it and block off the street - officials keep the event in check, as they do with all the events.

Awesome costumes.

Zombie cheerleader

This was a good one - so real.

And they keep on comin'

May the 'zombie force be with you'.

They LOVE the camera.

This guy - dressed as Prince rode the streets signing Prince songs - he was great 

and the crowd loved him.

Pet Masquerade 

October 26th

Even the pets are able to participate.

Frisky pets and playful owners delightfully disguised strolled, danced and even skateboarded across the stage in a fun frolic for fame and fortune.

Dog or Lion?

'Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale,

A tale of a fateful trip

That started from this tropic port

Aboard this tiny ship.'

There's a new sherriff in town.

I made a friend.

Masquerade March 

October 28th

The crowd paraded through old town with music and noisemakers. The march lasted about two hours non-stop with every costume you could imagine.

Papa Smurf on the campaign trail.

Marilyn

I have no idea what this is,

The Wizard of Oz

This is a white man with a huge afro!

Arrrrrrrgh

The Pink Ladies from Grease

Lt. Dan, Forrest Gump and Jenny

Fantasy Fest Parade Main Event

October 29th

70,000 exuberant partygoers rolled down Duval street. Featuring glittering floats, spectacular costumes and dazzling dancing groups. It doesn't get any wilder than this. 

when the end of the parade passed us, we hoped the barriers and followed suit for twelve plus blocks. We picked up strayed necklaces of beads, danced a little and some time just walked along. Others joined suit and before we knew it, we were no longer than end of the parade, but were now a part of the parade. It was a grand time.

When the last of the parade passed us, we joined in and followed the parade through rest of the route for more than twelve blocks. Before we knew it, we were packed with people all around us. Others followed suit and we were part of the parade. At the end of the line, we were sent on our way by the police.