Fantasy Fest 2007 in Old Key West

Halloween week's Fantasy Festival in Key West, Florida packs the island with partiers from all over the globe. There is a week full of activities sure to please anyone that likes to celebrate Halloween or life in general. If you want to join the party, start making your travel plans now.

Fantasy Fest 2007 starts with the Royal Coronation Ball to benefit Aids Help, Inc. and the Goombay street festival on Friday, October 19th . The Goombay festival continues on Saturday, October 20th from noon to midnight in the Bahamian Village at the corner of Duval and Petronia Streets. The Goombay is a festival all its own celebrating Caribbean food, music, art and culture.

Sunday is a day of rest which you will need to get ready for the next six days of serious partying. This is a great day to tour Duval Street. While the streets are busy, you have shorter waits at the city's historic saloons and restaurants. Don't forget to visit Mallery Square for the sunset.

The true start of Fantasy Fest is Monday, October 22nd with Dungeons and Dragons at 801 Bourbon Bar. This is a must attend for those with leather fetishes. While there is nothing else scheduled, there is always something going on in Key West.

Tuesday is a busy day with Party in Plaid at Capt. Tony's saloon, if you look good in plaid join the fun. If you can think of a reason why plaid may be attractive, join the crowd. The Fantasy Facade Competition, is for homes and business to dress up for the event. Cash is on the line, so bring plenty of film. The Official Poster Signing is free and a chance to get meet this year's artist. The Headdress Ball is amazing! Many rival anything Los Vegas ever created.

Wednesday there is the Celebrity Look-Alike Contest, Red Night, the 20th annual Hog's Breath Beach Party featuring the Homemade Bikini Contest and the WKEY Pet Masquerade and Parade. While I hear it is all great, all I can vouch for is the Homemade Bikini Contest, which is a must attend for anyone with fashion sense. Pet lovers swear by the Masquerade and Parade and there should be a breeze available for the Marilyn Monroe look-alikes at the contest.

Thursday's line up is; the Monster's Ball, Pretenders in Paradise costume contest with this years theme, "Somewhere Under the Rainbow", Sloppy Joe's 24th annual Toga Party and the Playboy Pajama & Lingerie Party at Mango's. If anything can compete with the Beach Party, it is the Toga Party. The Monster's Ball can be intimidating. It may be the ultimate costume ball. So be creative and artistic if you want to fit in costume wise.

Friday it starts getting wild and crazy! Starting with the Pimp and Ho Party, Wyland Galleries' "Fantasy of Art" Extravaganza, 801 Bourbon Bar Tattoo Contest and Street Dance Party, the Annual Street Fair, Fairvilla Megastore Masquerade March, 7th Annual Ocean Key Resort & Spa's "Living Art" Air Brush Expo, 12th Annual Southernmost Hotel & Resort Pre-Masquerade March Costume Contest & Pool Party and finally, the Rum Barrel's Pirates Bash. With so much to do, trolling.. er strolling, Duval Street is a plan. If you start getting parched with the exercise, there are plenty of watering holes along the route. This is called the Duval Crawl for a reason. If you over imbibe you may be crawling back to your room.

Saturday completes the festival with Epidermal Arts and Torso Tapestries Contest at the Green Parrot Bar, the Duval Street Promenade, Captain Morgan's Fantasy Fest Parade and the Bourbon Street Pub Tea Dance. After all the exercise Friday, Saturday is a great time to let the entertainment come to you. Stake out a claim on Duval Street for the parade. If you can get lucky and find a perch on a balcony you have the best seat in the house.

Sunday is children's day with costume contests, games, face painting and good clean fun to the Kids. If you want to finish your week in style make reservations for the "There's No Place Like Gnome" Fantasy Fest Sunday Brunch.

Not all times and locations have been announce for the 2007 festival. The list above is available at the Fantasy Fest Website along with much more valuable information. If you cannot make this years festival you can attend in spirit via the web cams linked on the fantasy fest website. The web videos are definitely PG-13 rated and the live web cams can hit an occasional R rating. If you want to compete in the costume contests check out the photo galleries for ideas. If nothing else you can spice up your local Halloween parties. Come on! Join the fun in person or on the web.