“Party Animals” Steal the Show at Fantasy Fest Pet Contest

FLORIDA KEYS VIDEO ADVISORY   October 23, 2025  

Contacts:  Mary B. Haban, Mary@fla-keys.com (813) 210-8585 or Chad Newman, Chad@fla-keys.com (310) 283-8441  

Story: “Party Animals” Steal the Show at Fantasy Fest Pet Contest 

Locator: Key West, Fla. 

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Photo Captions Below 

Video: B-roll of costumed pets and their owners competing in the Fantasy Fest Pet Masquerade. Footage includes close-ups of creative pet costumes and pet-and-owner teams in Key West, Fla.  

TRT: 1:38 

Filename: KeyWestPets.mp4 

Video Source: Florida Keys News Bureau

KEY WEST, Fla. (Oct. 23, 2025) — In Key West Wednesday night, the stage was set with stars of a different kind — with fur, feathers and four-legged fame.  

They pranced. They posed. And strutted their sophisticated stuff, showing the crowd what it really means to be the caviar of canine!  Victoria Secret...take notice! These pets proved you don’t need a body to die for to kill it on the runway. What matters most isn’t outer beauty, or fashion, or even fancy footwork. In the end, it came down to a solid show of support for a worthy cause — the care of rescued and adopted animals.  

A packed house of proverbial pet lovers packed Coffee Butler Amphitheater in Key West to watch pet-and-owner teams compete for top honors in one of the festival’s most beloved family-friendly events...The Fantasy Fest Pet Masquerade.  

The “Bedtime Stories and Magical Monsters,” theme attracted pets and their owners, who both came dressed to impress. 

A horse transformed into a majestic dragon straight out of "How to Train Your Dragon." A dog channeled his inner Chucky from the movie "Child's Play." And a Chihuahua rocked a leather Elvis outfit ready for its Graceland debut as it strutted across the stage. 

Judges awarded prizes in several key categories including Junior Entrants, Pet-and-Owner Look-alikes, Most Exotic, Best Theme Adaptation and Best in Show. 

But the real winners? The animals at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Animal Farm on Stock Island. Proceeds from the event help care for rescued and adopted animals there. 

Fantasy Fest 2025 continues through Sunday, Oct. 26, with events including the Headdress Ball, the Captain Morgan Masquerade March, and Saturday night’s grand finale — the Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade. 

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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. 

Friday, Oct. 24 — by 11 a.m. 42nd Annual Headdress Ball from Thursday night, Oct. 23. An iconic Fantasy Fest showcase at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater, the Headdress Ball features stunning, hand-crafted headdresses modeled by their creators and accompanied by high-energy performances from some of the island’s top entertainers. 

Saturday, Oct. 25 — by 11 a.m. Captain Morgan Masquerade March from Friday evening, Oct. 24. This exuberant walking parade through Key West’s historic Old Town draws several thousand merrymakers wearing glittering masks, body paint, and costumes inspired by the “Bedtime Stories and Magical Monsters” theme. Revelers stop along the route at guest houses for music, photos, and refreshments.  

Sunday, Oct. 26 — by 11 a.m. Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade from Saturday night, Oct. 25. The festival’s grand finale features dazzling floats, marching groups, and costumed participants bringing the “Bedtime Stories and Magical Monsters” theme to life before tens of thousands of spectators along Duval and Whitehead streets. Leading the parade as 2025 Grand Marshal is Key West’s iconic red high-heeled shoe, a beloved island symbol since 1997.  

Monday, Oct. 27 — by 11 a.m. Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest in Key Largo, from Sunday, Oct. 26. Divers and snorkelers will descend beneath the surface of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to carve pumpkins underwater in a creative competition held off Key Largo. The event blends artistry with a one-of-a-kind underwater setting and is expected to attract both local participants and visiting dive enthusiasts. Coverage is weather dependent and will proceed as conditions allow.