Key West’s Fantasy Fest to Present ‘90s Neon Cosmic Carnival’ Oct. 18-27

Revelers are to celebrate 1990s flashbacks and carnivalesque pageantry during Key West’s Fantasy Fest, set for Friday, Oct. 18, through Sunday, Oct. 27. The internationally renowned costuming and masking festival is to feature masquerade parties, costume competitions, street fairs, performance art, glamorous galas and an over-the-top grand parade. 

The festival is themed “It’s a 90s Neon Cosmic Carnival!” with merriment evoking everything from the era’s goth trend to television’s Seinfeld” and “Friends,” space exploration, carnival craziness and the Y2K frenzy that dominated the decade’s end.

Fantasy Fest 2024 features a blend of longtime favorite events and new offerings designed to delight fans of frivolity. Creative costuming is paramount, and the 10-day schedule features multiple competitions with prizes for the most imaginative ensembles.

Organizers encourage people to design their costumes and parade floats around the theme. Elements might recall ’90s favorites like the spellbinding “Harry Potter” book series and blockbuster “Titanic” film, or the decade’s neon-bright color palette and hip-hop stylings.

The festival’s official kickoff is the two-day Bahama Village Goombay Festival. Held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18-19, the Caribbean-flavored Goombay is a family-friendly street party in Key West’s historic Bahama Village neighborhood with nonstop musical entertainment, island-style food and arts and crafts.

Also Oct. 18, the Fantasy Fest King and Queen are to be crowned at the Fun and Furryous Royal Coronation soiree and on-stage extravaganza, capping a multiweek fundraising effort by candidates to benefit the Florida Keys SPCA.

Among the dozens of events orchestrated for fantasy fans is the wacky Pet Masquerade, a festival favorite for costumed pets and their people that takes place Wednesday, Oct. 23.

The following day brings the Key West Business Guild’s 41st annual Headdress Ball, hosted by renowned female impersonator Randy Roberts, where “headliners” compete for prizes in huge and elaborate masks.

Plans call for the cosmic carnival to hit the streets Friday, Oct. 25, with a freewheeling Masquerade March of costumed characters. Marchers are encouraged to bring noisemakers and percussion instruments, and display their best ’90s neon finery to “light up” the cavalcade through part of Key West’s Old Town.

Revelers can also indulge their festive spirit at events including the family-friendly Zombie Bike Ride, two-night Costume Promenade in the festival’s designated Fantasy Zone, “Tutu Tuesday” celebrations, Fantasy Market in the Key West Historic Seaport, disco dance party, musical tributes to iconic entertainers and a “Living Art” competition for painted bodies.

Saturday night, Oct. 26, nearly 70,000 spectators are expected to line Whitehead and Duval streets for the spectacular Key West Fantasy Fest Parade. A dazzling procession of large-scale floats and costumed marching groups, the parade displays the off-beat creativity and exuberant spirit that characterize both the festival and the island of Key West.

Event information: fantasyfest.com; festival app at App Store or Google Play

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