Costumed revelers parade up Southard Street in Key West during the 2022 Captain Morgan Masquerade March. This year’s March will take place on Fri., Oct 27. (Photo: Nick Doll/FantasyFest.com)

Fantasy Fest 2023 celebrates “Uniforms & Unicorns—200 Years of Sailing into Fantasy”

What do you get when you mix the Florida Keys effervescent spirit with the 200-year anniversary of Monroe County’s establishment and Key West’s first Naval base? You get the magically intrepid theme of “Uniforms & Unicorns—200 Years of Sailing into Fantasy.”

Fantasy Fest 2023 invites revelers to celebrate and co-create Key West’s annual 10-day costuming festival in Paradise; that means from October 20-29 festival-goers can adorn themselves in their most creative themed attire, and immerse in an extravaganza of exciting and diverse events occurring island-wide.

Following are some of many 2023 “Uniforms & Unicorns—200 Years of Sailing into Fantasy” highlights. While the festival is aimed primarily at an adult audience, there are numerous events that are child/family friendly. Complete information including times, locations, and contest entry links can be found at http://www.fantasyfest.com:

  • Decorate your digs to win big! The Key West Chamber of Commerce Fantasy Façades Competition offers fantastically decorated Key West homes and businesses the opportunity to compete for cash prizes and glory. Final day to enter is Mon. Oct. 16; judging is Mon. Oct. 23.
  • Oct. 18-27: Dammit Janet! “The Rocky Horror Show – The Musical” brings the infamous cult favorite to the Waterfront Playhouse stage.
  • Oct. 20 and 21: The Bahama Village Goombay Festival welcomes revelers of all ages to celebrate island arts and crafts, music and food in Key West’s historic Bahama Village neighborhood.
  • Oct. 20: The Royal Coronation Ball to crown Fantasy Fest’s 2023 King and Queen at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater is a fabulous 2-hour stage show that features entertainment by the competitors along with a line-up of local celebrities. Benefits the Florida Keys SPCA.
  • Oct. 21: Florida Keys Council of the Arts Fantasy Fest poster-signing event, 3-5pm at the La Concha Hotel. Buy your poster and have it signed by Nyssa Jordan, the winning design competition artist, and stock up on other collectable Fantasy Fest 2023 t-shirts and swag.
  • Oct. 21: “That Arena Rock Show” at the Ocean Key Resort’s Sunset Pier is a free admission, high energy, theatrical tribute to classic Rock & Roll.
  • Oct. 22: The annual Zombie Bike Ride kicks off at Fort East Martello in the afternoon with fun and entertainment, including body painting, food vendors and a kids zone. In the evening, thousands of zombies of all ages will bike to the Coffee Butler Amphitheater for a free Zombiefest Dance Party with DJ Sanaris, presented by Rams Head Presents.
  • Oct. 23: Heroes & Villains 5K & Post-Race Hog Roast Beach Party:  Be SUPER, be EVIL, be AWESOME and get your run on in this family friendly costumed event with awards, prizes, and a post-race party at the Southernmost Beach Resort.
  • Oct 23-27: “Pirates of the Conch Republic: The Search for Bodacious Booty – A Burlesque Parody” at the Key West Theater promises a sexy, swashbuckling spectacular for adult audiences.
  • Oct. 25: Costume yourself and your critter(s) to compete, or applaud from the audience at the annual wild and wacky Pet Masquerade at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater. Registration fees benefit Lower Keys Friends of Animals, Inc.
  • Oct. 26: The 40th Annual Key West Headdress Ball, presented by the Key West Business Guild at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater showcases an extravaganza of out-of-this-world headdresses modeled by their creators, along with exciting entertainment by some of the island’s best local talent.
  • Oct. 27: All-hands-on-deck for the Captain Morgan Masquerade March, as costumed creatives parade through Old Town Key West, stopping along the route for adult beverage samples provided by selected guest houses.
  • Oct. 28: It’s the world famous Bud Light Fantasy Fest Parade, led by Grand Marshall ADM Finbar Gittelman, the Key’s beloved First Sea Lord and Supreme Commander of the Conch Republic Military Forces, and featuring an extravaganza of floats and marching groups.
  • Oct. 29: Children’s Day from noon to 5pm at Bayview Park features food, rides, games, arts and crafts, and a costume contest for the kids.
  • Oct. 29: Don your fabulous feathers for “The Fat Lady Sings” Tea Dance from 4-8pm at La Te Da on Duval Street—the final official Fantasy Fest celebration.
  • Oct 30: The 2024 Fantasy Fest theme will be announced. Time to start planning your costuming genius!

Have you got the creative chops to “Choose the Theme” for 2024? Deadline to submit 2024 Fantasy Fest theme ideas is Oct. 4. The winning theme composer and a guest will be awarded seats in the 2024 Bud Light Fantasy Fest parade Grand Stand with the parade judges and organizers. Email submissions to [email protected]

Fantasy Fest, the world renowned party in paradise, was conceived in 1979 by business owners Tony Falcone and Bill Conkle of Fast Buck Freddie’s department store fame, and Key West Aloe proprietors Joe Lizska and Frank Romano. In 2017 the event contract was awarded to We’ve Got the Keys, a Key West-based company headed by President/CEO Nadene Grossman Orr, who with her team have guided the festival into a contemporary and exciting celebration of imagination and creativity.

Fantasy Fest 2023 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 handy downloadable mobile APP visit http://www.fantasyfest.com.

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