Fantasy Fest, Key West, Florida - A Wild Festival

Wow! Unbelievable! Blatant nudity! were the words that I used when I first laid eyes on some of the first body-painted participants at the 2017 Fantasy Fest in Key West, Florida.

 Wow! Unbelievable! Blatant nudity! were the words that I used when I first laid eyes on some of the first body-painted participants at the 2017 Fantasy Fest in Key West, Florida. The festivities started on Friday, October 20th and went to October 29th. This entire city prepares for an extravaganza the likes of which have never been seen before at least in America until 1979 with its first inception. Everyone that I spoke with said that this spectacle was superior to Mardi Gras in New Orleans since there were folks from all over the world here acting like boys and girls well into puberty.

Before I go any further I want the people who know me to realize that I am not going through some mid-life crisis reporting this story. After my early retirement as a funeral director, I have always enjoyed the entertainment industry having been a part-time writer, actor, comedian, musician, and now enjoying a world of travel writing throughout the world. My quest is to take in odd, strange, off-beat experiences that can provide good reading entertainment for folks tied up in a job or career that can't travel anytime soon. I didn't take my clothes off but dressed up like an Egyptian Pharaoh with a painted face. I was told that I could have been Ramses talking to Moses. Most people did as I did and played the party atmosphere in a tame and decent way.

There were men and women of all ages parading around Duval Street, the main drag of the city and I don't use that word loosely. There were people of all persuasions: straight, gay, lesbian, and transsexual painted in ways that accented one's chest, breasts, derrieres, legs, and especially the faces. The program booklet available throughout the city at any restaurant or bar showcased the entire festival's planned events. Of course for those that have been there during other times, you get the vibe that Key West was already a liberal, artsy, unconventional place.
Apparently explicit nudity to some degree is permitted at this time. It is now outlawed to go bottomless without wearing a flesh-covered bikini bottom for women or some cover on a man's privates. Women can show breasts as long as the nipples are covered. There were bizarre, sometimes wicked, creative body designs of out-there mentalities everywhere. Many themes of Adam and Eve; cartoon characters, monsters, witches, and other fantasy creations filled the streets beyond your wildest dreams.

I arrived on Wednesday, October 25th to begin my new indoctrination. After my arrival at the Key West Marriott Beachside Resort, I made my way into the inner city to explore this no-holds-barred attraction. Events for my remaining time included a Smokin' Tuna Homemade Bikini Contest; a Living Art Expo; and watching the parade from the Rooftop Cafe which was a great vantage point on Saturday night.
I missed many events that stood out: a pet masquerade; Sloppy Joe's Toga Party; and a Pirate Bash. There were many more but I need to leave those descriptions out for sake of puritan decency. I do want to share that the entire city puts so much money and organization into this festival making sure that participants can get in and out of the downtown area easily and safely; walking and green transportation like bicycles were encouraged; there were shuttles and tour bus parking areas; and many streets were closed for the heavy traffic times on Friday and Saturday before the parade.

The festival's director, a woman named Nadene Orr, created a schedule of events that went beyond anyone's expectations. She was a former past Queen, spectator, and participant of the parade. She wanted everyone to come and enjoy the events in a safe environment and made a police presence everywhere. You could not go anywhere without the local law enforcement in full force. There were even street preachers following groups of revelers around heckling them with phrases like "You are going to Hell if you don't repent" and "This is the new Sodom and Gomorrah. Change before God's wrath destroys this place.

Lastly, I want to comment on the most unusual observation that I made at the festival. As I said earlier, men and women of all ages walked Duval Street showing either their costumes or body paint. The most outlandish vision was the sheer number of senior citizens in their seventies and eighties: men and women, parading around practically naked. Not the best sight to see but they were proud of what they had and not ashamed of it.