Reigning King Ryan Acker and reigning Queen Karen Frank-Noll

The Royal Campaign of FANTASY FEST 2022 Kickoff

“Thanks for the memories!”

That’s the sentiment, and the thematic, for the Kick-Off of the 2022 Royal Campaign of Fantasy Fest, which will be the last to benefit A.H. of Monroe County (AH).

Beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 26th, at Sunset Pier at Ocean Key Resort, the evening’s party renders official who is determined to become 2022 Royalty. The longest-reigning (due to COVID cancellations) Queen Karen Frank-Noll and King Ryan Acker will preside.

Since 1989, the Royal Campaign fundraiser  (more commonly known as the King and Queen Campaign) has promoted awareness for those infected with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS.

“The event itself is not concluding after this year,” stated Scott Pridgen, AH Executive Director/CEO, “and we also want to ensure no one misinterprets this as a conclusion to Fantasy Fest. That’s why we chose ‘Thanks For The Memories’. This only alters who benefits from the Royal Campaign.”

“As the Agency becomes more self-sustaining, it’s only fair that another  worthy organization reaps the many rewards of the Royal Campaign,” offered AH Board of Directors President Rebecca Balcer.

“We have 4 incredibly unique individuals running as our ambassadors this year”, noted Pridgen. “Each have a unique story to tell the public about how our Mission of Health + Housing is for everyone in the Keys.”

What follows Kick-Off  — produced by Nadene Grossman Orr, Fantasy Fest Queen 2003 and her team from We’ve Got The Keys, who also oversee Fantasy Fest itself — is a series of frisky, feisty and always fabulous series of fundraising events Keys-wide to raise the most money and ascend to the Coronation throne at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater at Truman Waterfront on Friday, October 21st.

Special events of benefit to all those competing range from a weekly ‘Aqua Idol’ competition at Aqua nightclub, 711 Duval, commencing August 30th through October 18th; the much-loved Sunday BINGO, now at 22&Co, 504 Angela, hosted by QMitch and equally rewarding all Candidates from August 28th through October 16th; and The Gardens Hotel Bash, 526 Angela Street, on Monday, October 17th.

Admission to Kick-Off is free, but come prepared to stroll tables of Candidate goodies for sale that brand their campaigns with logos and catchphrases.

The Kick-Off For The Royal Campaign of Fantasy Fest 2022, Friday August 26th, beginning at 6 p.m., at Sunset Pier, Ocean Key Resort, 0 Duval Street.

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