It’s that very crazy time of year in Key West when we celebrate Fantasy Fest and the island is crawling with Villains, Vixens and Vampires and who knows what else.  I saw a whole troupe of the Adams Family heading out to play last night with a very large “It.”  Many wild and wonderful events have already been held to the merriment of all.  Of course the week started off with the Coronation of the Key and Queen of Fantasy, this year they were King Ralph Garcia and Queen Vicki Gordon.  And, no it’s not a popularity contest.  Candidate for the corn have 8 weeks to raise the most money they can for our local AIDS organization.  This year they 5 fabulous individuals raised over $193,000.  Last Friday was also the beginning of the Goombay festivities in Bahama Village.

The Pinking of You Breast Cancer event that was held on Monday at La-te-Da attracted over 200 people in its first year as an official Fantasy Fest event; raising over $7,500 for WomanKind and free mammograms.  While all the events have been a great success we are coming up on is the ever popular event The Fairvilla Megastore Masquerade March (aka The People’s March) tonight at 5:00pm.  Costumed revelers gather at the Key West Cemetery of all places then push off on foot for one of two march routes as they parade through old town singing, dancing and generally partying very hardy!  It’s not to be missed.

Tomorrow night is the world famous Captain Morgan Fantasy Fest Parade which begins at 7pm.  The parade starts on Southard Street at Whitehead, does up Front Street to Duval and ends at United Street.  We are expecting about 60,000 folks to turn out in all sorts of costumes.  There will be great music and fanciful floats.  It is an absolute must do for locals and visitors alike.

The week-long Festival officially ends when the “Fat Lady Sings” at the La-te-Da Tea Dance Sunday from 4pm-9pm at 1125 Duval Street.

For additional official Fantasy Fest events throughout the weekend, go to www.fantasyfest.net.  Have great time, play safe and be well.  Ginger

PS Please check out our calendar of events on the home page for lots of great events coming up.