Visitors to the Florida Keys and Key West are being invited to celebrate 1990s flashbacks and carnivalesque pageantry during Key West's annual Fantasy Fest, set for 18th – 27th October. The internationally renowned costuming and masking festival will feature masquerade parties, costume competitions, street fairs, performance art, glamorous galas and an over-the-top grand parade as well as the ever-popular Zombie Bike Ride and Pet Masquerade.    

The festival is themed 'It's a 90s Neon Cosmic Carnival!' with merriment evoking everything from the era's goth trend to television's Seinfeld and Friends, space exploration, carnival craziness and the Y2K frenzy that dominated the decade's end. Fantasy Fest 2024 features a blend of longtime favourite events and new offerings designed to delight fans of frivolity.   

Creative costuming is paramount, and the 10-day schedule features multiple competitions with prizes for the most imaginative ensembles. Organisers encourage people to design their costumes and parade floats around the theme. Elements might recall '90s favourites like the spellbinding Harry Potter book series and blockbuster Titanic film, or the decade's neon-bright colour palette and hip-hop stylings.   

The festival's official kick-off is the two-day Bahama Village Goombay Festival. Held Friday and Saturday, 18th and 19th October, the Caribbean-flavoured Goombay is a family-friendly street party in Key West's historic Bahama Village neighbourhood, with nonstop musical entertainment, island-style food and arts and crafts.   

Among the dozens of events orchestrated for fantasy fans is the family-friendly Zombie Bike Ride on Sunday 20th October, wacky Pet Masquerade, a festival favourite for costumed pets and their people that takes place on Wednesday 23rd October. And Masquerade March of costumed characters through part of Key West's Old Town on Friday 25th October.   

Revellers can also indulge their festive spirit at events including 'Tutu Tuesday' celebrations, Fantasy Market in the Key West Historic Seaport, disco dance party, musical tributes to iconic entertainers and a 'Living Art' competition for painted bodies.   

Nearly 70,000 spectators are expected to line Whitehead and Duval streets on Saturday night, 26th October for the spectacular Bud Light Fantasy Fest Parade. A dazzling procession of large-scale floats and costumed marching groups, the parade displays the off-beat creativity and exuberant spirit that characterise both the festival and the island of Key West.  

For more information on the Florida Keys & Key West, visit www.fla-keys.co.uk