By far the busiest, craziest and most exciting time on the continental United States' southernmost island, Key West Florida, Fantasy Fest is the time of year to really let your true colors shine! Revellers of all kinds descend on Key West to experience a festival like no other. This year, Fantasy Fest is celebrating its 30th year anniversary. Each year is different during Fantasy Fest but the one theme that remains the same is the distinctly Key West manner of letting loose, having fun, and enjoying life to the fullest.
The History of Fantasy Fest in Key West
It was on Halloween night in 1978 that a local Key West businessman realized there was something wrong with the scene in Key West. Key West hotels, bustling year round, were empty. There were no people on the streets. Bars were open but compared to just a few months prior were practically empty. And it was Halloween, a time to get out, dress up, and have fun. What was wrong with the picture was the dreaded low season of Key West Florida. The man, Joe Liszka, came up with a plan: a massive island-wide party that would get people back to Key West. The plan, needless to say, worked out marvellously. Every last month of October, thousands of people from all over the world come to Key West for a full week of all kinds of events and activities that have the one common purpose: have a good time! The rest of the Key West low season, from September through November, has also never been as slow as it was before the advent of the festival. And, consequently, other great Key West festivals have sprouted up during the slower months including Poker Run in September and the Key West boat races in November.
This Year's Fantasy Fest: Villains, Vixens and Vampires
Every year there is a new theme to Fantasy Fest. Last year, in honor of the highly anticipated presidential elections, the theme was Pirates, Pundits, and Political Party Animals. This year, the theme goes from dark politics to dark characters. Key West is known for its pirates, but this year Fantasy Fest is inviting all Key West villains, sexy vixens, and sultry vampires to come out and join in on the fun. The events for this year's Key West Fantasy Fest include the Vampire's Ball on Saturday the 24th, the Celebrity Look-a-Like contest at one of the downtown Key West hotels La Concha on Wednesday the 28th, a risque Pajama and Lingerie party on Thursday the 29th, the lesbian-themed Venus Vixens and Vamps at Pearl's Rainbow, and the (in)famous Captain Morgan Fantasy Fest parade on Saturday the 31st.
Coming to Key West during Fantasy Fest
Making the journey down to Key West Florida during Fantasy Fest is definitely worth your time and effort. Finding a room in one of the many Key West hotels might be harder than you think, as many of the Key West bed and breakfast properties and other properties sometimes get sold out even a year in advance! Do not give up home, however, as there are plenty of larger Key West hotels, both in Downtown and in New Town, that will be able to accommodate you and your friends. Once you finally make it to Key West, there are tons of Fantasy Fest events for you to participate in. But then there are all the usual Key West tours and activities, many of which offer special Fantasy Fest excursions or low Fantasy Fest rates. During the day, head out for a Key West snorkeling adventure or perhaps look into the several Key West boat rentals. To watch the sunset, definitely catch one of the Key West sunset cruises at least once. There is plenty more to do in Key West Florida during the most exciting time of the year. Check out the tours and activities section of BestOnKeyWest.com for all the information you will need for activities. And check out the accommodations section for information on the various Key West hotels and Key West bed and breakfast properties.
