Fantasy Fest 2012

It's a few months away, but it's worth making plans now to attend. What is it? It's Fantasy Fest. Key West's whacky, crazier-than-Mardi-Gras annual celebration. Its inception was born out of necessity... to fill the streets and shops of Key West with visitors during what used to be a slow tourist season. Fantasy Fest has become a hit, and the last two weeks of October are now some of the busiest for the town's shop keepers.

You either love it or hate it (often for the same reason), because it's a wild, usually drunken, days-long party where just about anything goes. Fantasy Fest kicks off Friday, October 18, with Goombay, a Caribbean street party and the Royal Coronation Ball, where you can vote for Key West's royalty — the King and Queen of Fantasy Fest 201s. Other highlights include less-royal-like, mostly "costumed" affairs; such as, the Vampire's Ball, the outrageous "Pinking of You" Decorated Bra Auction, the elaborate Headdress Ball, a fetish party, celebrity look-a-like contest, toga party, a pajama and lingerie party and so much more! Even the pets get to participate along with their owners in a pet masquerade and parade. >2012 Schedule of Events

What: Fantasy Fest 2012
Where: Key West, FL
When: October 19-28, 2012

More about Key West:

• Key West FAQs
• The Best of Key West
• Key West Sunset Celebration
• Florida Keys Photo Gallery
• Florida Keys Camping

Enjoy photos of Key West's Fantasy Fest from About.com's Orlando Guide, Theresa Johnston.

^{Photo © The Florida Keys and Key West}