Those going to Fantasy Fest in Key West-3

[The Travel Slut]

Friday, October 28, 2011
With Friday night comes the first wave of the invasion of the Weekend Warriors. Those are the ones who have read about Fantasy Fest on the Web and they want to observe it first hand, but in general they don’t appreciate the event and mostly choose not to actually participate. To some these (mostly) young and/or under-aged are an annoyance and some seasoned Festers avoid Duval Street altogether and instead concentrate the private parties.

That said, there is plenty to see & do all over town. The length of Duval Street becomes a daylong party. Food & drink vendors are surrounded by craft booths and hawkers selling last minute costume accessories. Many local charities sell beer & wine to support their causes. Live music and shows take the stage in almost every block. In the late afternoon, two kitschy parades start at the cemetery gates and meander to a number of guest houses and hotels before arriving on Duval Street causing the crowds there to swell.

PIMP AND HO PARTY
Adult film star Ron Jeremy hosts this exotic dance party where you can enter the $700 Mr. Pimp and Ms. Ho costume contest, plus enjoy guest D.J.'s live. This event usually sells out. Purchase advance VIP tickets online at www.keystix.com at the Red Fish Blue Fish 407 Front St. (305)304-1188; 10 p.m. There is a cover charge

SOUTHERNMOST SIRENS, SEA NYMPHS AND SAILORS COSTUME CONTEST
Sirens, Sea Nymphs and Sailors Costume Contest of Poseidon's Paradise poolside at Southernmost on the Beach hotel at 508 South Street from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Registration begins at 3:00 p.m.; Contest starts at 4:30 p.m. Then at 6:00 p.m. join us for the Masquerade March Half Way Party - FREE.

11TH ANNUAL LIVING ART AIRBRUSH EXPO
Contestants will use the human form as a living canvas for artistic expression in competition for $2000 in cash; drink specials and live entertainment! Painting and partying start at 6:00 p.m., judging begins at 9:00 p.m. Sunset Pier at Ocean Key Resort; (305) 295-7045; FREE; Backstage VIP tickets available at www.keystix.com

MASQUERADE MARCH
Join the crowd as they parade through Old Town with music and noisemakers! Thirst quenchers provided at selected guesthouses. Begins at the Key West Cemetery Frances Street entrance but revelers can join the mad march anywhere along the two routes! Start marching at 5:00 p.m.; All welcome; FREE

FANTASY FEST STREET FAIR
Duval Street’s mile-long eater-tainment extravaganza features arts and crafts, food vendors, lively libations and costumed frivolity; Noon to 10:00 p.m.

RUM BARREL'S 5TH ANNUAL PIRATE BASH
Dress and drink like a pirate at the Rum Barrel’s most outrageous pirate bash in the world! More than $1500 in cash prizes for the best pirate and wench costumes, great music on the rooftop stage, and awesome rum specials. For more info call (305) 292-7862 or get piratical inspiration at www.rumbarrel.com from 9:00 p.m.

HAIR OF THE HOG, LEATHER AND LACE PARTY
Wake up with the hogs at our Bloody Mary Blow Out Breakfast! Wear your laciest lace or your luckiest leather and win $$$! Grey Goose Bloody Mary bar, beer specials and continental breakfast buffet. Featuring the Hog’s Breath awesome breakfast burrito! For more information visit www.hogsbreath.com 400 Front St.; (305) 296-4222; 9:00 a.m. to noon

801 BOURBON BAR TEA DANCE
Plenty of sugar and spice at this “tea in the street” party; Live D.J., cool drinks, dancers, drag queens and celebrities; (305) 294-4737; 801 Duval St.; 1:00 p.m.; FREE

FETISH & FANTASY PARTY AT THE ISLAND HOUSE FOR MEN
Envision yourself in a maze of mystery and excitement. Pursue your fantasies at the only all male event held during Fantasy Fest. This clothing optional event for adult men is co-sponsored by the Key West Wreckers. Come feel the thrill. Doors open at 9:00 pm. Clothes check provided. Purchase advance VIP tickets online at www.keystix.com at 1129 Fleming St - 305-294-6284

Saturday, October 29, 2011
On Saturday Key West Fantasy Fest goes into full core meltdown. Early in the day Duval Street will look much like it did on Friday with the exception that the food vendors will be found on the side streets so that they can stay open for the parade and later. As the day progresses and the street fills, there will be more people in costume. Many will have two costumes planned for Saturday; one for the daytime party in the street and another for the parade. On Saturday there is only one party planned, the Epidermal Arts at the Green Parrot, but in reality the real party is in the streets throughout the downtown area.

Toward the end of the day Duval St. is cleared in Anticipation of the Grand Parade. You need to pick a side of the street you want to be on before the barricades go up because after that, it is almost impossible to cross. After the street is cleared the crowds are pushed off onto the side streets and into the bars. After the parade Duval is again opened and costumed revelers party the night away until the bars close at 4AM.

CAPTAIN MORGAN FANTASY FEST PARADE
Join 70,000 frolicking partygoers as this year’s parade surfs down Duval Street. Featuring glittering floats, marching bands and dancing groups, it doesn’t get any wilder than this! Parade steps off at 7:00 p.m.; www.fantasyfest.net/parade.cfm FREE to watch along the route

EPIDERMAL ARTS AND TORSO TAPESTRIES
Art lovers gather for this bona fide cultural event to determine the best-illustrated bodies. The battle of the emblazoned bods elevates this art form to something aesthetic, creative and maybe even poetic; Green Parrot Bar at 601 Whitehead St.; (305) 294-6133; www.greenparrot.com from 2:00 p.m.; FREE

DUVAL STREET PROMENADE
Sassy entertainers, enticing food and spirited libations tempt costumed merrymakers as they party from the Gulf to the Atlantic; Noon to 10:30 p.m.; FREE

Sunday, October 30, 2011
“THE FAT LADY SINGS” TEA DANCE
As the saying goes, “It ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings.” Everyone will be at La Te Da from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for the last official event of Fantasy Fest 2011. D.J. Junior provides the music for the very last hoorah. La Te Da Hotel, Restaurant, Cabaret and Bars at 1125 Duval St.; (305) 296-6706; $5 cover charge

CHILDREN'S DAY
A family event featuring food, games, arts and crafts and a costume contest for children. Bayview Park at Truman Ave. and Eisenhower Dr.; Noon - 5 p.m.; 305-292-8912

2011 DAILY DIVERSIONS

CARNIVALE FOR CARNIVORES
Take a trip to Brazil without leaving the Florida Keys by dining at Braza Lena, an authentic Churrascaria! With 16 premium cuts of meat, a salad bar extravaganza and a new bar menu, Open 5 pm-10 pm

FANTASY CYBER SOUVENIRS
Visit the Fantasy Fest Store anytime at www.fantasyfest.net for memorabilia with official posters, t-shirts, and limited addition medallions. To purchase the Official 2010 t-shirt please call Keyboard Advertising at 305-292-9315.

INDECENT EXPOSURE
Party like Adam and Eve day and night at the Garden of Eden, clothing optional rooftop bar, above the Bull & Whistle on the corner of Caroline and Duval in the 200 block. Body painting; Open 10 am to 4 am everyday; A cover charge will usually apply.

SMOKIN' HOT TUNA PARTY!
Whether you are a "Smokin' Hot Tuna" or you like chasin' Hot Tuna come and join us daily at the Smokin' Tuna Saloon for killer daily happy hour prices and drink specials from 5-7 pm. Open daily from 10 am till 2 am.

Also, be sure to read the file with tips for 1st timers to Key West and Fantasy Fest.

[mitraveler]

Thank for this detailed information about Fantasy Fest. This sounds like quite the weekend.

[feron4]

hey travel slut, we've left it a bit too late this year...we're considering private homes, bungalows and cottages just off of Duval st...would you recommend staying in Duval St? have you got personal recommendations of accomodation for shoe-string students?...and, are you renting property by any chance?

It'll be around 7 of us all friends so we won't mind squatting into a little flat if need be it;)

[The Travel Slut]

Unfortunately, there are no cheap accomodations for Fantasy Fest.

Key West is an island of 25,000 that grows to 50,000+ for Fantasy Fest and while there is a variety ranging from hotels to B&B's to resorts and condos, cheap does not happen at this time and many places now require a minimum 3-5 night stay, especially towards the end of the fest.

Yes, I would recommend staying within walking (staggering) distance of Duval St. if possible as public transport is limited and busy,

If yoyu require assistance, I have a source for accomodations in Key West and she has been known to find great places,.