David Sloan talks mysterious portals and shares insights on serving as Fantasy Fest Parade Grand Marshal with one of the world’s most celebrated haunted dolls
A recent announcement by organizers of Key West’s Fantasy Fest that author and paranormal specialist David Sloan, and Robert, one of the world’s most famous haunted dolls, are to be this year’s Key West Fantasy Fest Parade Grand Marshals has resulted in a flurry of public reaction, from celebratory huzzahs to “oh hell no!” to “I’m wrapping my house in foil right now!”
The wariness expressed by many concerning Robert is on account of the doll’s long and eerie history: Just after the turn of the 20th century, Robert was gifted to a young child named Gene Otto, son of a prominent Key West physician. Created by the Germany-based Steiff Company and standing 41-inches tall—about the same size as an average 4-year-old American boy—the sailor-suited toy soon established a reputation for creating supernatural mischief and mayhem in his families elegant Victorian mansion, and provoking strange behavior in young Gene. The child’s excuse for the bizarre household occurrences and his own naughty behavior: “Robert did it.”
David Sloan is an American publisher, artist, producer, and paranormal specialist recognized as the foremost authority on Robert, and is author of the book, “Robert the Doll,” published in 2014. We caught up with Sloan to learn more about his relationship with Robert and the lore concerning reports of misfortunes said to follow when a visitor takes a photo of Robert without first asking his permission.
Why were you and Robert the Doll selected as 2024 Key West Fantasy Fest parade Grand Marshals?
Robert is a powerful doll. He summoned Vince Neil from Mötley Crüe and Butch Patrick of The Munsters to his haunted living quarters in Key West, so I’m guessing he made this happen too.
Very unusual but not unprecedented. Kermit the Frog was Grand Marshal in the 1996 Rose Bowl Parade, but he was never reported to have cursed anybody. This is certainly the first time a haunted doll has been the Grand Marshal of a parade.
It never has been “the same.” It’s always been different. They say “2000-zero zero, party over, oops, out of time.” So this year I’m going to party like it’s 1999.
The 2024 Key West Fantasy Fest Parade is set to launch in downtown Key West at 7:00pm, Saturday, Oct. 26, beating to the theme, “It’s a 90s Neon Cosmic Carnival!” Fantasy Fest 2024 is presented in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and We’ve Got the Keys. For a full calendar of events, schedule updates, and a downloadable mobile APP visit http://www.fantasyfest.com.
[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]
No Comment