Are you ready for some outrageous fun to brighten up the autumn gloom? If so, I have excellent news for you. Key West’s legendary Fantasy Fest is coming up Oct. 19-28 with a roster of world-class festivities.

Key West Fantasy Fest Headdress Ball

This lavish ensemble inspired by “Alice in Wonderland” took first place at the 2017 Fantasy Fest Headdress Ball. (Photo by Peter Arnow)

You may think I’m always touting something as simply the best ever — but this event will truly amaze you. Before attending my first Fantasy Fest (when I was still a young spring chicken in the 1990s), I had never experienced anything quite like it. The over-the-top costuming, unparalleled parties and the amazing energy generated by the festival will impress even the most seasoned party animals out there (you know who you are!).

The 10 days of masquerade galas, parades, shows and costume competitions have been taking place in Key West for more than three decades. Every year a different theme provides participants with inspiration for creative costume choices — often designed with a side of “Key West weird.” This year’s theme is “Oh … The Games We Play!”

The yearly festival is the largest event held in the Florida Keys, with thousands of revelers descending on the island. Fellow party-goers love their body paint, masks and lavish costumes which allow them to let their hair down (so to speak) and escape into a magical world of carefree merriment.

There’s always a buzz on the island many months before the event as locals start to leak some of their top-secret costume designs. Those designs will debut at our numerous costume competitions, street fairs, the “locals’ parade” and the pièce de résistance: the Bud Light Fantasy Fest Parade (which has drawn some 60,000 spectators in past years!).

Although Fantasy Fest is definitely geared towards an adult audience, it opens with a family-friendly event called Goombay, which is a street party held in the historic Bahama Village neighborhood.

Fantasy Fest Masquerade March Key West

Daniel Bitnar, dressed as a dove of peace, proceeds down Fleming Street during the 2017 Fantasy Fest Masquerade March, also called the “locals’ parade.” (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)

The party celebrates Key West’s Caribbean roots with scrumptious island cuisine and much more. In addition to mouthwatering grilled meats, veggies and conch fritters, you can also enjoy the delightful beat of Caribbean-American bands — and shop for goods ranging from African-inspired clothing to one-of-a-kind handcrafted jewelry.

There are a lot of pet lovers in the Keys, so we include our furry friends in the festivities with their own Pet Masquerade. I’m not sure who will have more fun at the Oct. 24 event — the pets or their human companions. Get ready to see some decked-out doggies and fancy felines as they compete for costume prizes.

And please don’t miss my favorite “must-do” Fantasy Fest event: the fabulous Headdress Ball held at our new Key West Amphitheater. The Oct. 25 extravaganza will likely draw stellar entrants from around the world (including some locals) competing for prizes for the most elaborate masks and headgear.

The event is bursting with creativity, with some of the headdresses spanning the entire stage. Also get ready to be wowed by spectacular performances from top local vocal and dance talent.

There are way too many Fantasy Fest festivities to cover in just one blog, so please stay tuned for upcoming columns with insider tips and “can’t miss” events to maximize your fun factor.

FYI, if you’re joining us for the festival, please make your hotel and airline reservations ASAP. Keys accommodations fill up fast, and many of our LGBT properties are booked by return guests a year in advance.

I hope to you see you soon at Fantasy Fest with your favorite “gay-themed” — whoops, I meant “game-themed” — costumes.

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