A Year of Festivals

Freaky, mad and wonderful stuff going on in the world to keep you inspired on your travels.

October - Fantasy Fest, USA

USA | Thursday, 17 September 2009 | Views [153]

Location: Duval St, Key West, Florida, USA

Dates: 10 days ending on the last Sunday in October

Level of Participation: 5 – indulge your wildest fantasies

Description:

One of the most outrageous parties in the lead up to Halloween is this camp blow-out in subtropical Florida. Started in 1979 as an unashamed ploy to liven up a quiet period for the local tourist industry, Fantasy Fest is a mind-bending series of fancy dress parties and parades. We’re not just talking about obvious dos like the Pimp and Ho Party (with its $700 Mr Pimp and Ms Ho contest). Some of the themes would make a costume designer scratch their head. There’s the Dungeons & Dragons leather fetish bash, the Party in Plaid and a homemade bikini contest. The Monster’s Ball is overrun with man-sized serpents, mermaids and other creatures that should probably remain submerged deep in the subconscious.

The venues doll themselves up as imaginatively as their clients. Hard-working Sloppy Joe’s Bar, which also hosts the Hemingway Look-Alike Contest, throws a huge toga party. Bed sheets and laurel wreaths are de rigueur and those not getting into the Roman spirit have, on occasion, been stripped.

The fun begins with a Caribbean-style street party and climaxes with a parade of glittering floats and 70,000 freaks having the time of their life.

Essentials: Some headgear for the Headdress Ball.

Local Attractions: Beyond touristy Duval Street, the ‘Conch Republic’ sports Bahamian architecture and diving trips aplenty.

More Info: www.fantasyfest.net

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Information provided courtesy of Lonely Planet
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