Fantasy Fest Masquerade Marchers to Roam Key West’s Old Town Oct. 25
KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Thousands of masked and costumed partiers are to unleash their free-spirited alter egos during the Captain Morgan Masquerade March, a lively walking parade set for Friday, Oct. 25.
The promenade through Key West’s historic Old Town is a highlight of the island city’s Fantasy Fest celebration, a lavish annual costuming and masking festival set for Friday, Oct. 18, through Sunday, Oct. 27.
The 2024 festival is themed “It’s a 90s Neon Cosmic Carnival!” with participants encouraged to embrace ’90s flashbacks, carnival antics and galactic glamor.
The march typically attracts bands and merrymakers wearing everything from feathered masks and finery to offbeat costumes inspired by the festival theme. Keys residents have a large presence in the event, sometimes called the locals’ parade, as they share the rowdy revelry with costumed visitors.
Free to enter and watch, the 2024 procession is to start at 5:30 p.m. from two points: Truman Avenue and Frances Street beside Old Town Wine & Spirits, and “Paparazzi Row” in the 1100 block of Fleming Street.
A pre-march party is to begin at 4 p.m. on “Paparazzi Row,” hosted by Alexander’s Guesthouse and Island House Resort, with a 360-degree photo booth and plenty of photo ops for costumed characters.
After the two routes converge, participants are to travel along picturesque Fleming and Simonton streets, stopping for libations at inns and other businesses along the way.
Led by jamming musicians, the promenade displays the exuberant spirit that characterizes Key West. As well as showing off their costuming creativity, revelers can bring whistles, noisemakers and percussion instruments to add to the excitement.
Spectators typically line the street to watch, applaud and sometimes join in before the march reaches its endpoint at Olivia and Duval streets. Multiple after-parties are planned to keep the fun going.
The madcap march is a prelude to the festival’s anticipated highlight, the Oct. 26 Key West Fantasy Fest Parade. Featuring dozens of glittering motorized floats, costumed walking groups and lively island-style bands, the parade is to proceed down Whitehead and Duval streets in front of more than 60,000 fantasy fans.
Event information: fantasyfest.com; festival app at App Store or Google Play
The Masquerade March displays the exuberant spirit that characterizes Key West. Photos by Andy Newman
The march typically attracts merrymakers wearing everything from feathered masks and finery to offbeat costumes inspired by the festival theme.
Keys residents have a large presence in the event, sometimes called the locals’ parade, as they share the rowdy revelry with costumed visitors.
The madcap march is a prelude to the festival’s highlight, the Oct. 26 Key West Fantasy Fest Parade.