A ROYAL RENAISSANCE For Fantasy Fest 2017 Resumes, To Benefit AIDS Help

SPECIAL UPDATE

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 2017

1:15 PM

When the thematic was chosen, we didn’t know how apt it would be.

Talk about A Royal Renaissance!

Even with the uninvited and undesirable candidacy of Irma, the 4 official Candidates of The Royal Campaign of Fantasy Fest 2017 have UNANIMOUSLY opted to immediately move forward with the annual fundraiser to benefit AIDS Help and others in need, concluding with the Royal Coronation Ball on Friday, October 20th.

“Our 4 Candidates have a chosen a literal rebirth of their campaigns,” notes AIDS Help Executive Director Scott Pridgen. “Bucky Montgomery, Vicki Hodgson, ‘Saint’ Paul Murphy and Destiny Montgomery want to maintain the tradition and push for a return to normalcy — or Key West’s version of normalcy! They are huddling as I release this update to reschedule two events apiece.”

Those details will be accessible at www.AHMonroe.org, various Facebook platforms, in ‘The Citizen,’ individual websites, YouTube and via various social media outlets.

Irma’s impact has reconfigured the allocation of funds raised for 2017, Pridgen explains.

“Our clients and residents (which include veterans and senior citizens) do not have the luxury of filling out applications, then waiting, so our impact will be immediate. We will be providing rental and utility assistance to those unexpectedly unemployed or underemployed by Hurricane Irma; assisting with relocation, if they choose to leave the Keys; and staffers will also provide what we call ‘resource identification’ to ANYONE in the community, referring them to the appropriate social service organization or governmental agency.”

Even with the shortened timeframe, other traditions continue. Special events of benefit to all those competing range from a weekly ‘Aqua Idol’ competition at Aqua nightclub, 711 Duval, starting this Tuesday through October 17th; the much-lovedSunday BINGO upstairs at the 801 Bourbon Bar, hosted by reigning Queen Mother QMitch and equally rewarding all Candidates, through October 15th; the 5th Red Shirt Run, donated annually by Theme Runs owner Beth Moyes, on Saturday morning, September 30th; and the 2nd Annual Royal Retrospective, at The Custom House, 281 Front Street, on Thursday, October 19th.

The Royal Coronation Ball, presented by the Casa Marina, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, at 1500 Reynolds Street, from 6 p.m., will serve as both the culmination of the Royal Campaign and a salute to the rebirth of Key West post-Irma. $95 seated dinner ticket (which includes two votes) can be booked now at http://ahi.ticketleap.com/coronation/.

Produced by Erin McKenna and Bria (and hosted by Bria) and overseen by We’ve Got The Keys, it’s an event that will surely sell out fast, so swift reservations are urged. General standing admission is $10 and also includes two votes.

“This much I can reveal: Irma did not win,” adds Christopher Elwell, President of the AIDS Help Board of Directors. “That we are resuming the Royal Campaign and staging the Coronation exactly as planned is a testament to this awesome community’s strength and support.”

* * * *The Royal Coronation Ball, Friday October 20th, beginning at 6 p.m., at Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, 1500 Reynolds Street * * * * *

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