Costumes, Characters and a Whole Lot of Conch Republic Swagger: Key West Lets Loose at Fantasy Fest Masquerade March
FLORIDA KEYS VIDEO ADVISORY October 24, 2026
Contacts: Chad Newman, News Director, Chad@fla-keys.com(310) 283-8441 or Mary B. Haban, Vice President, Public Relations, Mary@fla-keys.com (305) 394-3142
Story: Costumes, Characters and a Whole Lot of Conch Republic Swagger: Key West Lets Loose at Fantasy Fest Masquerade March
Locator: Key West, Fla.
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Photo Captions Below
Video: B-roll of thousands of costumed revelers marching through Old Town Key West, Fla., during Captain Morgan's Masquerade March, a highlight of Fantasy Fest 2026. Footage includes masks, body paint and costumes inspired by the "Musical Icons and Iconic Musicals" theme, KISS and Freddie Mercury look-alikes, a Devo-inspired DJ, dancers, marchers wearing giant cassette tapes on their heads and crowds along the route. Natural sound of music and cheers.
Technical Data:
TRT: 2:05
Filename: KeyWestMasquerade.mp4
Audio: Nat. Sound - Stereo Mix
B-Roll: Nat. Sound
Credit: Florida Keys News Bureau (Screen credit appreciated, not mandatory)
Costumes, Characters and a Whole Lot of Conch Republic Swagger: Key West Lets Loose at Fantasy Fest Masquerade March
KEY WEST, Fla. (October 24, 2026) — KISS took over the streets of Key West Friday night. So did Freddie Mercury. And a few thousand of their closest friends. It was all part of Captain Morgan's Masquerade March, where the costumes were outrageous, the music was loud and nobody missed a beat.
Known as the "locals' parade," this Fantasy Fest favorite turned the streets of Old Town Key West into one giant moving costume party. And this crowd came dressed to impress!
With this year's theme, "Musical Icons and Iconic Musicals," there was no shortage of star power. '80s girl band the Go-Go's brought a little flair. And a Devo-inspired DJ kept the new wave rolling along. Even the mixtape made a comeback, with one group sporting giant cassette tapes on their heads.
Along the parade route, local guest houses kept the island hospitality flowing with refreshments and plenty of encouragement. The spectators? They were practically part of the show.
The march eventually rolled into the Fantasy Fest Street Fair, where the party was far from over. And the grand finale? That's still to come.
Saturday night's Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade is expected to draw tens of thousands of spectators to Duval Street. The 10-day Fantasy Fest celebration wraps up Sunday, October 25.
For more information, visit fantasyfest.com.
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NOTE TO EDITORS/PRODUCERS: Below is the lineup of Florida Keys News Bureau video coverage for the rest of this week, with corresponding feed dates and delivery times. Separate advisories will be distributed before each feed.
Sunday, Oct. 25, by 11 a.m.: Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade from Saturday night, Oct. 24. The festival's grand finale features dazzling floats, marching groups and costumed participants bringing the "Musical Icons and Iconic Musicals" theme to life before tens of thousands of spectators along Duval Street.
Be kind, rewind. Marchers become a walking mixtape, each wearing a giant cassette labeled with a music icon, from Devo and David Bowie to Duran Duran and Spinal Tap, during Captain Morgan's Masquerade March in Key West, Fla., Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. Thousands of costumed revelers take over Old Town for the free-spirited procession known as "the locals' parade." (Larry Blackburn/Florida Keys News Bureau)
Big hair, don't care. An '80s hair-metal crew cranks up the attitude with teased wigs, spandex and guitars during Captain Morgan's Masquerade March in Key West, Fla., Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. The march is a prelude to Saturday night's Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade, the festival's grand finale. (Larry Blackburn/Florida Keys News Bureau)
Sharp dressed and seriously bearded. Two marchers channel ZZ Top with flowing beards, black hats and the band's signature fuzzy guitars during Captain Morgan's Masquerade March in Key West, Fla., Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. Rock legends are everywhere as revelers embrace this year's Fantasy Fest theme, "Musical Icons and Iconic Musicals." (Larry Blackburn/Florida Keys News Bureau)
Tongues out, Key West. A KISS army strikes a pose in full face paint and platform boots, one of several KISS crews to rock Old Town during Captain Morgan's Masquerade March in Key West, Fla., Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. Fantasy Fest 2026 continues through Sunday, Oct. 25. (Larry Blackburn/Florida Keys News Bureau)
Still stayin' alive. A disco-ready pair puts an undead spin on the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive," complete with a tombstone sign, white sequins and a disco-ball purse, during Captain Morgan's Masquerade March in Key West, Fla., Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. Free to join and free to watch, the march welcomes anyone in costume. (Larry Blackburn/Florida Keys News Bureau)
Cat-titude to spare. Fans of the Broadway musical “Cats” prowl Old Town in leopard prints, wild manes and painted whiskers during Captain Morgan’s Masquerade March in Key West, Fla., Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. The procession winds through the island’s historic streets to the Fantasy Fest Street Fair. (Larry Blackburn/Florida Keys News Bureau)
Purple reign. A crew of Prince fans salutes "Purple Rain" with glowing cloud umbrellas, ruffled shirts and a guitar to match during Captain Morgan's Masquerade March in Key West, Fla., Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. The march is a highlight of Fantasy Fest, Key West's 10-day costuming and masking festival. (Larry Blackburn/Florida Keys News Bureau)
Rocket men and women. Members of the Key West Bike Club go full Elton John in star-shaped sunglasses, purple feathers and rainbow sequins during Captain Morgan's Masquerade March in Key West, Fla., Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. Next up: the Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade, which takes over Duval Street Saturday night, Oct. 24. (Larry Blackburn/Florida Keys News Bureau)