Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Reuters NewMedia - Sunday October 26, 2003
Laura Myers
Jimmy Weekley, a native Key Wester and mayor of this storied island city 160 miles south of Miami, was grand marshal of the final parade, themed "Daze of Future Past ... 25 Years of Fantasy," that rolled through downtown Key West on Saturday night.
More than 65,000 parade-goers viewed the Halloween-pegged event that lured adults to shed inhibitions and their clothes.
"This is our first Fantasy Fest so we're virgins. That's why we decided to be angels," said Tammy Burdin, 42, of Brooksville, Florida, dressed in white angels wings, short skirt and silver wig.
Three other angel friends were bare-breasted. "Next year we'll change our ways. We'll probably be devils," Burdin said.
A float dubbed "Conch House of Horrors," entered by Fast Buck Freddies department store, won grand prize among 67 other parade entries.
It poked fun at Key West's high-end real estate, showcasing a decrepit shack listed for sale at $1.3 million.
NUDE BODIES
Before the parade, several merrymakers waited patiently at the clothing-optional Garden of Eden bar to have their nude bodies painted.
"We've been booked months in advance. It's been very busy," said souvenir photographer Michael Vernon, adding that revelers paid $40 to $200 for the experience.
Earlier in the week, Key West police warned that "exposure of genitalia will not be allowed and material covering them and unpainted breasts must be opaque," but enforcement appeared minimal.
Hoteliers reported strong bookings. "It was a very good weekend and week," said Peter Ilchuk, president of the Lodging Association of the Florida Keys and Key West.
"The economy is starting to rebound and people are feeling better about spending on leisure travel."
Fantasy Fest King Bill Andersen, an attorney, and Queen Nadene Grossman, a resort concierge, won their titles by collecting more than $424,000 for AIDS Help Inc., a charity for HIV- positive Florida Keys residents. Last year's take was $180,000.
The first Fantasy Fest celebration in 1979 attracted about 5,000 people.
Key West businessmen Joe Liszka and Frank Romano dreamed up the event to boost tourism in October to this Florida Keys island city that has long enjoyed a reputation for easy-going eccentricity.
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