What happens when 60,000 people hit Key West streets for Fantasy Fest? Take a peek

Fantasy Fest isn’t for shy people.

Colorful costumes. Elaborate floats. Some skin here and there.

While public nudity is banned in Key West, the revelry can get risque, with splashes of body paint hiding what’s underneath. But it all ended in a family friendly way on Sunday, with a dance party and children’s carnival.

Organizers say the 10-day annual celebration in Key West, which wrapped up over the weekend, drew 60,000 people this year to an event that focuses more these days on getting dressed up than getting undressed.

The parties and events ended with a parade with 40 floats under the theme, “Uniforms and Unicorns, 200 Years of Sailing into Fantasy.” The theme was a tribute to the Keys’ bicentennial and to the U.S. Navy, which has a large presence in Key West.

What Fantasy Fest is about

Fantasy Fest began in 1979 as a way to boost the Southernmost City’s fledgling tourist economy at the time, but has since become a major event, bringing in an estimated $30 million in revenues to the Keys, said Andy Newman, spokesman for the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.

As a prelude to Saturday’s parade, a Masquerade March made its way through Old Town on Friday night.

Some of the highlights of the costumed party were a group of people dressed as characters from the “Barbie” blockbuster and marchers playing tribute to Jimmy Buffett, the singer-songwriter who put the Florida Keys on the musical map.

The city is already gearing up for next year’s themed party: “It’s a 90’s Neon Cosmic Carnivale!” The 2024 Fantasy Fest is scheduled for Oct. 18-27.

Trouble on the streets

And like all big gatherings, there was a little trouble. The few arrests were mostly for misdemeanor charges like disorderly conduct and indecent exposure. Only one arrest was on a serious charge — aggravated battery, related to a fight between several local people on North Roosevelt Boulevard early Saturday morning, according to police.

Alyson Crean, Key West Police Department spokeswoman, said 28 people were arrested between Friday and Sunday, which are the busiest times for Fantasy Fest.

Here’s what the festivities looked like:

Fantasy Fest photos and video