Fantasy Fest Wanderings I – Oct 2017 --- “Time Travel Unravels”

October 31, 2017 • 2 Comments

LET THE FANTASIES & WILD TIMES BEGIN.............

Join me as we “Wander” through 10 days of Fantasy Fest 2017 as: "Time Travel Unravels”

This is our 18th year celebrating Fantasy Fest so “WANDER” with us as we navigate our way EACH DAY through the dozens of Wild and Crazy times of Fantasy Fest 2017

The winds have died down, the waters have receded, the debris piles are disappearing and the sun is shining brightly thru the naked tree tops....

As Halloween approaches Key West our little island in paradise takes on a scary vibe as tens of thousands wild party revelers arrive for the huge theme oriented celebration called FANTASY FEST week. The event lasts 10 days and is a Mardi Gras like event that culminates the last Saturday in October with a wild costumed gala parade up Duval street. Throughout the week there are dozens of theme oriented parties like the: Royal Coronation Ball, Zombie Bike Ride, Sloppy Joe's Toga Party, Fogarty's Red Party, Captain Tony's Party in Plaid, Tighty Whitey Party, Pet Masquerade, Headdress Ball, Halos and Horns Party, Locals Masquerade March and dozens more. The streets of course overflow with costumed party goers of all ages. While this is a Halloween oriented event with lots of Costumes there is also plenty of body paint and nudity so it's not for the shy or prudish and is clearly an adult oriented festival.

My Fantasy Fest Wanderings Blog will evolve as Fantasy Fest week unfolds, so come back for Daily Updates....

(Note this is not for shy or prudish as Fantasy Fest is clearly an Adult only event. Must be over 18 to enter)

For 18 years of my Fantasy Fest photos Visit: http://www.FantasyFest.me

Zombie Ride: Zombie Slide Show

“Fantasy Fest Parade Lab”

This year the Fantasy Fest Kick Off is an Art Show and exhibition at the Studios of Key West. Celebrating this year’s “Time Travel Unravels” theme, the ground floor Sanger Gallery at The Studios presents a pop-up Fantasy Fest Parade Lab - part production... shop, part exhibition space – where the festival’s exciting 38-year history of costumed marches, glamorous balls, street fairs, pet masquerades, parties, exhibits and charity fundraisers can be explored through posters, photographs, memorabilia and video projections. Show hours 10am-4pm with Photos, Posters, & Parade art on 2 levels! The exhibitions are free and open to the public and remain on view through October 26.

Nadine Grossman Orr, Producer of this year's Fantasy Fest

Marky Pierson, Art Director Fantasy Fest 2017

Fantasy Fest Art Show and Exhibition at the Studios of Key West

Got to love some of the decorated houses

Off to the Royal Coronation Ball

You know it’s officially Fantasy Fest in Key West when the Kings and Queens of Fantasy Fests past gather for the Royal Coronation of this year’s Royalty. The Royal Coronation Ball for Fantasy Fest King & Queen is a gala entertainment filled party on the beach at the Casa Marina. This year 4 Candidates spent 5 weeks (shortened due to Irma) raising money by sponsoring wild and flambouyant parties and events for “AIDS Help” and Hurricane Relief. Last year over $330,000 was raised in the event and it was initially thought this year’s event would be canceled due to Hurricane Irma, but the 4 Royal Candidates all agreed the show must go on, as every penny raised will be valuable to support Community members in some very trying times.

Meet your new 2017 Fantasy Fest King Saint Paul and Queen Destiny

Past Fantasy Fest Queens festive as always

2013 Fantasy Fest King & Queen

"Royal Coronation Ball"

The Royal Coronation Ball is an evening entertainment extravaganza where local talent hits the stage in celebration of the Royal Event. The show culminates with the official crowning of each year’s Fantasy Fest King & Queen and the announcement of their fund raising efforts. This year in-spite of lost times and lots of hurdles the Royal Family raised over $129,000. This year the first father Daughter team of Bucky and Destiny Montgomery along Saint Paul Murphy and Vicki Hodgson with joined the race as Royal Candidates. In the end our new King Saint Paul and Queen Destiny were crowned in gala fashion. They will now preside over the rest of Fantasy Fest’s many parties, galas and parades. If you bump into the King & Queen be sure to thank them for their hard work and many contributions.

Fresh in from Bobby's Monkey Bar

Special guests the Fabulous Spectrelles take to the stage. The longest running Duval street singing act

Candidate Vicki Hodgson performs

... and of course the wonderful and famous Christopher Peterson

In-spite of the challenges from Hurricane Irma $129,023 was raised for AIDS Help and Hurricane relief this year

Our 2017 Fantasy Fest Royal Family, a true Key West asset

Click above photo for a short Royal Coronation Ball Video

“Goombay Festival”

Fantasy Fest week always kicks off with the annual “Goombay Festival” held in Key West’s historic Bahamas Village which supports various groups in the community. On Friday and Saturday Petronia street becomes festival central with ethnic food stalls, vendors, raffles, music and carnival rides.

Goombay weekend marks the beginning of Fantasy Fest, in Key West’s Bahama Village. Each year this street festival attracts thousands of people who come to sample Caribbean foods, arts, crafts and carnival rides as well as enjoy live music ranging from gospel to reggae.

“Zombie Bike Ride”

Once a year the dead rise up and migrate by bicycle across Key West in search of food and drink. The festivities start at the haunted Fort East Martello as thousands gather at Zombie Land from around the planet then migrate by bicycle at sunset down US1 along the Atlantic Ocean to downtown Key West. Last year’s Zombie Bike Ride brought over 8,000 Zombies to the streets of Key West.

Zombie Ride: Zombie Slide Show

For many more Fantasy Fest photos visit my website: http://www.FantasyFest.me

Off to the Zombie Ride, Zombie 1st Responder & Linesman

For many more Fantasy Fest photos visit my website: http://www.FantasyFest.me

Nice set of wings!

Off to a 1960s Beatles Party

"Tutu Tuesday"

You know it's Tuesday of Fantasy Fest week when the streets are filled with thousands of Tutu clad or unclad party goers. While Tuesday of Fantasy Fest week brings a number of annual parties such as Captain Tony's Plaid Party, Tighty Whitey Party, Green Party to name a few, the big event is the annual TUTU Party. This year Tutus started arriving at "The Porch" for a pre-party followed by a Tutu walking parade and Bar Crawl. The final gathering spot for over a thousand Tutu revelers was at the Waterfront Brewery where the party went till the wee hours.

Click above photo for short TUTU party video:

Don't Miss Fantasy Fest Part 2

Zombie Ride: Zombie Slide Show

Masquerade March: Masquerade March Slide Show

Visit my 2016 Fantasy Fest Slide Show: 2016 Fantasy Fest Slide Show

PLAN A VISIT TO Fantasy FEST 2018 -- 2018 Theme: "OH... The Games We Play"

Two Bedroom Condo Still Available 10/21/18-10/28/18 Come to Fantasy Fest and stay at the Hyatt Beach House overlooking the Gulf of Mexico: http://www.pbase.com/wkimages/hyatt_beach_house

For 18 years of my Fantasy Fest photos visit: http://www.FantasyFest.me

Fantasy Fest Online Photo Gallery: http://www.FantasyFest.me , Note: This photo gallery contains nudity, must be over 18 to enter

* Any use of these images requires the prior written permission of Bill Klipp the photographer, no other uses of any kind including print or electronic are permitted without the prior written permission of the photographer.

Comments

Garry and Kathleen Branch(non-registered)

Hello Bill and Linda. Starting my new aluminum can tab creation (see Masquerade March 154). Can't hardly wait. Its gonna be big. Great meeting you. Awesome time.

DENNIS J O'CONNOR(non-registered)

Hi Linda and Bill
Thanks for sharing your pictures. They bring back lots of really good memories!
Looking forward to our paths crossing again a
Dennis

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