so this is pretty much an anual topic for me...

is anyone going?

for those of you who are uninformed...it's basically mardi gras in key west...but without any rules...lol

costumes, beads, *****, butts, "kitty", drinking, parade, floats...drinking...*****...butts...
.....

....

..oh sorry...got distracted

seeings how i live in the keys, i know my way around, and would love to meet up with some guys for a fun time.

it's a week long celebration, starting with the Gombay Festival on oct 18th...and ending in the HUGE parade on the 25th...every nite is a party but the big nite is that last saturday.

 

a little schedule for ya:

Friday, October 17
GOOMBAY CELEBRATION
A Caribbean carnival in Bahama Village located at Duval and Petronia streets. The pulsating street party continues Saturday! noon-midnight; FREE.


ROYAL CORONATION BALL
Entertainment and pageantry herald the Royal Family and the King and Queen of Fantasy Fest 2003; Hilton Key West Resort & Marina, 245 Front Street; 6 pm; $5 per vote benefits AIDS Help, Inc.; www.keywestresort.hilton.com.


Saturday, October 18
GOOMBAY CELEBRATION
The party continues in Bahama Village!
noon-midnight; FREE.

BAL MASQUE CARNIVALE -
Sponsored by Fairvilla MegaStores. A gala ball where a mask is a must! Costume contest in three categories: Leather & Scary, Glitter & Glitz and Over the Top with cash prizes $500, $300 and $100; dancing and revelry; New Orleans House, 724 Duval Street; 8 pm - 10 pm; doors open 7 pm; $10/ $25 VIP seating; tickets: www.glcckeywest.org; masks strongly encouraged and available for purchase at the door; benefits Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Key West.

THE LATIN THING
A Cayo Hueso celebration featuring authentic Cuban food, flair and fantasy. Pulsating rhythms will keep your mojo in high gear! Costumed dance contest indoors at 10 pm; cash prizes. Dance into the morning hours at the edge of Mallory Square; El Meson de Pepe’s Bar and Restaurant, 410 Wall Street. Where the sun sets and the fun begins—preserving Key West’s Cuban-Conch history since 1997; 8 pm; $15; 305-295-2620.


Sunday, October 19
LOCK AND LOAD FASHION ROCK
See and be seen at this trendy event and jump- start your fantasies! Music by DJ Juniormint; dancing under the stars with fashion models and hot go-go dancers; chocolates, champagne and full bar. A fundraiser for Julius Adams AIDS Task Force; Atlantic Shores Resort, 510 South Street; 7 pm - 11 pm; $$; 305-296-2491; www.altanticshoresresort.com; E-mail: info@atlanticshoresresort.com


Monday, October 20
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS
This leather fetish party is not for the timid or shy! 801 Bourbon Bar; 801 Duval Street; 9 pm; $$; E-mail: JG801@keysconnection.com; 305-304-2400.


Tuesday, October 21
REDDY ICE FANTASY FAÇADE™ COMPETITION
Festively decorated homes and businesses compete for cold cash! To enter, call 305-296-5334; FREE; sponsored by The Ice Kid, Inc., Key West. Keep your party cool call 800-330-0892; www.reddyice.com.

OFFICIAL FANTASY FEST® POSTER SIGNING PARTY
Meet this year’s poster artist and local celebrity J.T. Thompson; Crowne Plaza La Concha Hotel, Crown Room, 430 Duval Street; 5 pm; Posters for sale.

FAT TUESDAY'S BLAST FROM THE PAST
Where the drinks are frosty, the bodies are hot and the DJ’s rock! Let the good times roll! Featuring the 6th Annual Costume Contest and cash prizes; 305 Duval Street; 8 pm - midnight; FREE.




Wednesday, October 22
WKEY PET MASQUERADE & PARADE
Furred and feathered fashionistas exhibit animal magnetism. Wyndham Casa Marina Resort, 1500 Reynolds Street; registration for competition at 4:30 pm, contest starts at 5:30 pm; FREE to watch; $25 to enter. Contest benefits Lower Keys Friends of Animals; for contestant information: www.key93.com; for photos and information click on Pet Parade button.

CRABBY BILL'S KILLER ZODIAC PARTY
Display your favorite sign at an astrological costume contest with a $500 prize or pose as bare as you dare for cosmic body painting. Tarot card and palm readings; live entertainment; contest finals at midnight; Crabby Bill's, 511 Green Street; body art starts at 7 pm; $10 general admission; 305-292-0802; www.crabbybills.com; E-mail: keywest@crabbybills.com

RED DAZE – SO MANY WAYS
You’ll be seeing red at Fogarty’s! Cool drinks, live music and three red hot contests: best use of red in a costume; “Fire Marshall Bill” look-alike and red T-shirt contest. Live web cam of the 2nd Annual Tricycle Races. Red attire encouraged. Presented by Fogarty’s and Spottswood Companies; 227 Duval Street; 9 pm; $5 at the door and 50-50 Raffle benefits Key West High School Activities Association and Keys Kids; Advance tickets available by calling 305-294-7525; www.fogartyskeywest.com and www.spottswood.com.

BEACH PARTY
Hog’s Breath Saloon, 400 Front Street, proudly presents the 15th Annual Fantasy Fest® Beach Party featuring the world famous Homemade Bikini Contest “Bikini Daze.” Details of contest at www.hogsbreath.com or 305-296-4222; 10 pm; 20 at the door, 10 to enter contest.


Thursday, October 23
LEATHER MASTER AND 801 BEACH ***** BONANZA -
No snorkels or fins needed at the landlocked beach party! Shade prevails for a cool romp in the sandy interior of the famed 801 Bourbon Bar. Wet your whistle with tropical concoctions and watch water babies splash in the pool! Door prizes from Leather Master. 801 Bourbon Bar; 801 Duval Street; noon - 8 pm; $10 general admission includes beach ball; www.leathermaster.com; E-mail: leathermasterkw@aol.com

NIGHTMARES IN DREAMLAND
Showtime 7 pm with infamous drag by Angelica. Costume contest with $1,000 in cash prizes; Dreams and screams adorned in outrageous attire; drag queens, pretty party pleasures and entertainment by the finest! 7 pm - 11 pm; Atlantic Shores Resort, 510 South Street; $5; 305-296-2491; www.atlanticshoresresort.com; E-mail: info@atlanticshoresresort.com.

PRETENDERS IN PARADISE
A spectacular beachside costume competition offering $10,000 in cash prizes! “Gay, Gaudy and Gauche ” celebrates 21 years of legendary creativity and entertainment; Pier House Resort and Caribbean Spa, One Duval Street; 8 pm; $25; tickets available Oct. 1; 305-296-4600; E-mail: csmiley@pierhouse.com; contestant entry fee $10 individual, $20 groups of four or more; contestant information 305-296-5596 or E-mail: themarketshare@aol.com; for photos and information, click on Pretenders in Paradise button.

SLOPPY JOE’S 20th ANNUAL TOGA PARTY
Sloppy Joe’s Bar, 201 Duval Street; cash prizes for 1st place in each category. Details of contest at www.sloppyjoes.com or 305-296-2388x21; show promptly at 10 pm; FREE to enter contest, registration begins at 8 pm. Togas for sale in retail shop (while supply lasts), toga sales benefit AIDS Help, Inc. $$

THE REVENGE OF THE RETURN OF THE MONSTERS FROM THE SEA
Sea serpents, mermaids and other bizarre creatures of the deep continue the search for what lurks in the dark and deep blue sea! Who’s dancing at this Monster’s Ball? Find out at the Green Parrot’s annual costume party. Mysteries of the undersea world are revealed! Dive into some surreal fantasies and some-too-real fantasies that should perhaps remain submerged! Green Parrot Bar, 601 Whitehead Street; 10 pm; FREE www.greenparrot.com


Friday, October 24


8th ANNUAL MARCHING MASKED MANIA COSTUME CONTEST
Hotel stays and cash prizes for those flaunting flamboyance. Southernmost Hotel, poolside; 1319 Duval Street; 4-6 pm; contestants sign up 2 pm; FREE to watch; FREE to enter; 305-296-6577; E-mail: info@southernmostresorts.com.

MASQUERADE MARCH™
Costumed merrymakers parade through Old Town. Begins at the Key West Cemetery Frances Street entrance; two routes meet on Duval Street; 5 pm; FREE.

801 BOURBON BAR TEA DANCE
"It's more fun at the 801 Tea in the Street." Live D.J., dancers, drag queens, cool drinks and celebrities; 5 pm; 801 Duval Street; E-mail: JG801@keysconnection.com; 305-304-2400; FREE.

3rd ANNUAL OCEAN KEY RESORT “LIVING ART” AIR BRUSH COMPETITION
Contestants use the human form for artistic expression in competition for more than $1,000. Drink specials and live entertainment; BillyFish Bar and Grill on the Sunset Pier at the Ocean Key Resort, Zero Duval Street; painting and partying start at sunset; judging begins at 9 pm; FREE; 305-296-7701; E-mail: mtrahan@oceankey.com


Saturday, October 25
FAIRVILLA MEGASTORE DUVAL STREET PROMENADE™
Sassy entertainers, enticing food and spirited libations tempt costumed revelers as they party from the Gulf to the Atlantic; Noon-10:30 pm; FREE; 520 Front Street, one block off Duval Street; www.fairvillaonline.com

BOURBON STREET TEA DANCE
A taste of New Orleans decadence in Old Town; D. J. Babb; beads, boys and booze;730 Duval Street; Noon; FREE; E-mail: JG801@keysconnection.com; 305-304-2400

EPIDERMAL ARTS AND TORSO TAPESTRIES CONTEST
Lovers of art gather for this bona fide cultural event that will determine the best-illustrated men and women of Fantasy Fest 2003. As part of the diligent efforts to keep the Green Parrot Bar on the cutting edge of artistic expression and synonymous with culture and good taste, the battle of the emblazoned bods provides a venue that elevates this art form to something aesthetic, creative and yes, even poetic; Green Parrot Bar, 601 Whitehead Street; 3 pm; FREE; www.greenparrot.com

CAPTAIN MORGAN FANTASY FEST® PARADE
Celebrating the 25th year this magical procession has WOWED partygoers and welcoming Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum as parade sponsor. Parade route includes Whitehead, Front and Duval streets; 7 pm; FREE; www.captainmorgan.com


Sunday, October 26
CHILDREN’S DAY
A family event featuring food, games, arts and crafts and a costume contest for children. Bayview Park, Truman Avenue and Eisenhower Drive; Noon-5 pm; FREE

ESCAPE TO FANTASY ISLAND
Nicola’s Brunch offers tastes of the tropics with luscious cuisine, complimentary mimosas and unlimited champagne served with the Island’s best view of the Gulf! Nicola’s Restaurant at Hyatt Key West Resort and Marina, 601 Front Street; reservations 305-296-9900x54; $32.95 (under 12 years $15.95); 11:30 am-4 pm; www.hyatt.com

 

Reserve me a spot on the living room floor or a place to pitch a tent on the lawn. If you can do that I'll be there the last Fri, Sat, Sun!!!
I definitely would like to go after hearing stories on here from last year's event.
Seriously though, what's getting a hotel gonna be like down there? That would be the only cost obstacle.

 

I think an even bigger obstacle than the price would be actually finding a vacancy. I wish I could get away. Maybe I'll ask the boss and see what she says.

 

We're all camping out @ Teke's!!!! Bust out the 4-man....er-uh..1-man, 3-women tents!

 

"1-man, 3-women tents!"

you know, a buddy from melbourne may be coming down and he says he has 4 lady friends who want to come too...oh and they are all hooters waitresses!!

havn't heard from him in a few weeks...not sure if it's still on.

there is a chance i'll be in a new apartment/house by that time...but either way anyone is welcome. my current place has plenty of room for sleeping bags and there is a lawn...but not sure how the rest of the tenents would like that.

as for hotels

well it is tough to find a place, but due to the cost and many wanting a 2 or 3 nite minimum...there are places available. cost is usually in excess of $250 per nite.

there is a hostel near duval that i stayed at once...basically a room with 15 beds, but it only cost like $15 for the nite. it may be full but it would be worth it for a cheap, close by place to crash at 5am after drinking all nite...if you don't mind comunitee sleeping quarters.

just keep the dates in mind...and keep in touch...i'lll be posting more about this as i figure it out. everything is always up in the air, since i have 5 people (friends) every year say they are coming down...but they never do. sooo....

 

I call dibbs on the big Couch!!!!

 

How about next Friday and Saturday Jeff? Can I bring the wife? Don't worry. It will still be cool for chicks to be there too. We're cool with dat.

 

Of course by "next Friday" I meant the 17th.


BTW - I'd be bringing the vert!!!

 

chuck...

come on down...i may actually be in a new place by then...moving in with a roomate.

anyway...i've never been down there for the first weekend, goombay festival. so i really don't know what to expect...difinatly not as crowded but should still be fun.

just let me know

oh and expect a race if you DO bring that SS down!!

gotta figure out how the Z is doing since there isn't anyone to race down here!

 

I generally don't street race - EVER!!! But if you know of some empty roads down there where we can get a run, I guess I'll let you see what ya got. I'll PM you when I secure a babysitter for the kids and figure out exactly when we'll be able to be there.

 

See ya tonight about 9:00. I'll be staying at the Sea Del in Marathon Friday and Saturday nights. Supposedly just remodeled. Pretty close to your pad. $49 per night. Can't beat that. I'll give you a call when I get there or maybe a little before. Wanna fly down to Key West tonight for the Goombay Festival? I'll drive if you want. We should get a few hours of partying in. Then we'll have a better idea of what to expect for round 2 on Saturday night.

Any chance of getting out on the water Saturday? Hopefully you've found a friend with a boat by now. hint hint

 

All I can say is WOW!

That was fun. And that's all I'm gonna say too. (must protect the innocent ya know)

We were there for the first 2 nights and it's supposed to get wilder every day. If you wanna get crazy and have a good time, make the drive guys.

If I wasn't in the points hunt I'd blow off the autocross and head back down. I have a feeling I'll be back soon even though the fest will be over.