Fantasy Fest was first held in 1979, what began as primarily a party staged to add pep to the quiet days of October soon acquired a life of its own. Tony Falcone and the late Bill Conkle, owners of Fast Buck Freddie’s Department Store, along with Joe Liska and Frank Romano, who owned Key West Aloe at the time, organized a party to stimulate business. The ten day celebration now includes balls, costume competitions, AIDS fundraisers, body painting, drag queen contests, costume parties, lots of drinking, as well as pet and neighborhood parades for the whole family. Fantasy Fest has grown to rival New Orleans’ Mardi Gras as an event drawing out-of-towners.

The highlight of Fantasy Fest is a parade featuring humorous floats, including one carrying the annually elected Conch King and Queen. In recent years, attendance at Fantasy Fest has surpassed 100,000 people, or more than three times the population of the island itself.

This years Fantasy Fest is expected to push the envelop even more. We wouldn’t expect nothing more from the free-wheelin’ people of Key West. For a schedule of events that will be happening at this years Fantasy Fest visit http://www.fantasyfest.net/schedule.cfm.