The Finale

Are you on Fantasy Fest overload yet? Us too, but this is the last installment and then it's time to recover. It's going to be weird to see people with their clothes on again. Last night was the float parade, and it was short and sweet. Of course it was dark and the floats were fast moving, which means crappy photos, but I'll give you at taste (album).


We actually got two shots at the floats because we watched them go by near the start and then had to cross over Duval to get home. This float had waited until the larger audience to send Batman high up into the sky. Cool.

It was pandemonium in the street.

Diana Nyad, the woman who swam from Cuba to Key West recently, was there too.

Photo by: Andy Newman

This time, we were actively competing for beads and were standing with two people who were in it to win it too. Michael was actually flashing the bead tossers to try to get ahead.

You'll note a sword coming at Michael in that photo. He kept jumping in front of people to get the beads being tossed to them, so was getting spanked with horse crops and stabbed with swords. I was trying to take photos, so wasn't catching any, but once a float went by, I'd run into the street and grab any beads that had fallen. By the end of the night, I had 50 beads to Michael's 30. Take that!

Here are a few parting shots of random costumes we saw throughout the day.



You'll note that we stopped to take a photo of these Beetlejuice guys and they unexpectedly starting singing barbershop-type harmony (turns out they'd just sang at the Little Room Jazz Club).



You can hear for yourself. They were singing to me and Paula.

Yes, the week was quite a mishmash of insanity. The fact that we only go to a small amount of what's happening during the event is an exhausting thought. And after all this dress up, who's going to want to do it again on Halloween?

Today, we pack.

Masquerade March

So we went with the same group as last time, and awhile back they decided to go with the Minion theme (from Despicable Me). Over the week, we've seen several varieties of this, so knew it would be popular. You hate to look like everyone else, but this is Key West; no two costumes will ever be the same. I was going to just do my own thing, but then decided to raid the closet at the last minute. It's a bit disconcerting to realize that I was able to replicate the look rather easily (although I am pleased to say, I didn't have any overalls). Seriously, these guys paid for an actual Minion costume. How similar do we look?

I wanted to be the Minion with one eye and just ran across a clear coaster we bought from Ikea almost 10 years ago. It sucks as a coaster but made a great glowing eyeball that changes colors.

Michael went out looking for a cheap yellow t-shirt and goggles, which wasn't as easy as it should have been, but struck pay dirt in Sears. He didn't have coveralls either, so we had to improvise.

Time to march!

The parade splits and people go into opposing directions, so this is just one half of the parade and just a smidgen of the people in it (photos looking ahead and behind). It's crazy!



Get some coffee, this slideshow is going to be a long one (make sure you restart the beginning if you missed it). I promise, it's a lot of fun (like being mooned by the Duck Dynasty guys, the kid looking longingly at someone's beverage, there was even a sharknado). Here's a link to the album if this is too slow for you.

Here's our group (sometimes merging with another one).

It took us an hour to go 2 blocks. It didn't have to, but our group kept stopping for various reasons. We were so slow that we eventually brought up the rear of the parade and were "escorted" by the police.

Yep, like jouvert in St. Kitts, it's a long process and would seem to be almost over the top, but is more fun than expected and worth experiencing. I really do think every town should do this people's parade once/year. Just shut down the streets, bring out the food/art vendors, and let people dress up and march through the town for a couple of hours.

We're slowly winding down. Tonight's the main parade with floats. At some point we need to get packed - we leave Tuesday.

Whoof

And here are a few pics of the pet masquerade. MileZero got some good photos, too. I didn't see any cats or birds this time (view last year), so this show was just for the dogs, so to speak. My favorites were the golfer (dog with glove in pants) and caddy, and the Wizard of Oz threesome (slideshow).


This poor child bawled anytime the announcer got anywhere near him.

This woman would have been laid out
if she'd done that to my armpit.

I was relieved when Michael eventually showed up with the moped because I really had to go home for a shower. After walking to the hotel and then standing in the hot sun for 2 hours, I had a serious deodorant fail. Every time I raised my arms to take a photo, I was like, who stinks? I finally put two and two together and realized it was I who stunk and stopped terrorizing the people around me by keeping my arms at my sides (you'd think my b.o. would have cleared a space for me, but people are determined).

After that crisis was over, we headed over to Schooner Wharf for an appetizer and a drink. While we were there, the cold front rolled through, and the best breeze ever blew over us. The bar was having its Wharf Stock concert, so we were surrounded by people who were dressed like hippies. I didn't take any photos, but when we left, I wasn't sure who was having more fun - the people dancing on the stage to Pink Floyd or the band itself.

When we got home, there was a forlorn piece of crab claw in the vestibule in front of our neighbor's door (next to their flip flop mat). I wish I'd seen the rest of the costume.

It was an early evening as Michael seems to have gotten a cold. I'm trying to ignore the tingling in my nose. Instead, we're both focused on the fact that today (Thursday) is his last day of work here. Wahoo (sort of)! I'm excited to take a run and enjoy this nice cool breeze that has finally graced us with its presence.

BTW, the two men on the right are our landlords (at the Headdress Ball). Only in Key West.

It's Tuesday, So It Must Be...

Can you tell what day it is (was)? Whoop, whoop.

No, not deranged chiquita banana day. Tutu Tuesday. And not just any tutu theme, but a rubber ducky one.



I was already on people (and people's junk) overload, so stayed in for the night, but Michael headed out in his best duds. He said he got catcalled quite a bit all night. I love when I hand him the camera and then send him out on his own; I have such fun going through the photos in the morning (even if half of them are of the inside of his pocket). You'll note that Tuesday was also the Headdress Ball (photos of that), Party in Plaid (Michael said everyone dressed like this was over 60), Green party, and Wild, Wild West party - so that was the mishmash of costumes going around. Again, these photos are not for everyone, so if you're young and/or sensitive, skip them (slideshow). Can you tell the painted-on costumes from the fabric ones (the woman with the leprechaun & treasure chest is great)?



Before all that, there was this one, early in the evening as we were headed to dinner. Michael & I couldn't believe it when we zipped past this man. He was smiling up a storm when we saw him (Julie Lynch took the photos though). Then there's his (assumed) wife dressed like a normal person. Can you see his chest? It has a Superman insignia painted on and then above his belly says,"40 years later." Once you see it, you can't unsee it. You're welcome.



This guy was one of my favorites though. And remember, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Can you imagine what I'm not showing you?

Thankfully, it'll be pets on Wednesday (although that's by no means all that's going on). A cold front is on the way too (Friday), which could mean rain (boo), but also cooler temps (yay).

Superhero or Villain?

Next up for Fantasy Fest was the Heroes vs Villains 5K. How's this for a super car? Shiny.

I'm pretty sure there were more heroes than villains (lots of Supermans, Bat Girls/Men, and Cat Women), but they were fun to watch. (Another slide show, email subscribers here's the blog).


 Banana man?

I don't know who this woman was supposed to be, but that outfit had to be really hot to run in.

Then we headed to the luau at The Reach/Waldorf. We'd never been back there; it was absolutely beautiful.

We hung out,

listening to the band,

watching the fire twirler,



talking around the pool, playing cards with the statues...



Once back back on Duval St., the usual insanity ensued. I refrained from taking a lot of photos, but every once in awhile I, or Michael, couldn't help ourselves.



Look at the artwork on this woman. Yes, she's completely topless (except for her fur hat).

Another woman with very large breasts and sporting silver x-shaped pasties was supposed to be Storm from the X-Men. She was being leered at so badly by the men around her that I felt bad for her. At one point, frustrated, she asked if anyone even knew who she was supposed to be. No one did, but all the men were zooming in on her chest, all googly eyed, cameras shooting away. No, I didn't take a picture, and there are times men can really be sophomoric. Yes, these people are putting themselves out there, but try to have some class. Jeez.