Art Walking
A model walks down the street in Key West during Fantasy Fest week as advertising for one of the many professional body painters that show up for this unique festival.
Fantasy Fest
Walking around with a camera during Key West Fantasy Fest provides all kinds of interesting things to shoot especially the people wearing paint. Body painters from all over the country come to town for the 10 day festival where people pay thousands of dollars to be painted. Then they stroll up and down Duval Street showing off their mobile art. This lady chose paint colors that go perfect on her.
Body Painting
In preparation for Fantasy Fest in Key West
Real Fish
Fantasy Fest costume Key West
Then War It Shall Be
The Conch Republic (also known as Key West and the Florida Keys) like many nations was born from trouble. The trouble started back in the dark days of March 1982, when the U.S. Federal Government placed a Border Patrol Roadblock at the Last Chance Saloon in Florida City. A seventeen mile traffic jam immediately ensued as the Border Patrol stopped every car leaving or entering the Keys, supposedly searching for illegal drugs and aliens who might be hiding under the front seats, in glove compartments, and in trunks. A Federal Miami court refused to enjoin the US Federal Government’s Border Patrol from treating the Keys like a foreign country. When the Key West delegation left the courthouse On April 23rd, Mayor Wardlow announced “We are going to go home and secede” and thus the Conch Republic was born. The Conch Republic flag was raised over city hall and the Schooner Western Union, under command of Captain John Kraus, went forth into the harbor and attacked the US Coast Guard Cutter DILIGENCE with water balloons, Conch fritters and stale Cuban bread. The DILIGENCE fought back with fire hoses and thus commenced the Great Battle of the Conch Republic. Prime Minister Wardlow surrendered and demanded foreign aid from the United States (which we are still waiting for!) The road block was quietly removed and the glorious Conch Republic was born. This event is celebrated each year with among other things a sea battle between the US Coast Guard and the Conch Republic Navy and Air Force. The sea battle is fought with water cannons while the Air Force bombs the Coast Guard ships with toilet paper, as seen here. For the past 40 years the Coast Guard admits defeat and shamefully sails back to their base. The city of course then has a parade.
One year I had the admittedly very difficult task of being both an arial photographer and a toilet paper bombardier. We returned to the airport as glorious battle hardened winners.
Curry Mansion
Always decorated for all holiday, it was built as a private home in 1869 and now a beautiful bed and breakfast in Key West.
Words were hard to come by
I started typing a caption a few times but deleted them because any attempt at explanation just doesn't come out right. Let me just say on a normal day, Key West is difficult to explain but Fantasy Fest week makes words impossible.
Fantasy Fest
Face painted and costumed for the Key West Fantasy Fest parade
Parade Painted
Face painted and costumed for the Key West Fantasy Fest parade
Parade Happy
Face painted and ready for the Key West Fantasy Fest parade
Parade Feathered
Painted and costumed in the Key West Fantasy Fest parade
Dressed and ready
Fantasy Fest
Key West Florida
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Key West cigar lady
Dantes at Christmas
Decorated for Christmas, Dantes of Key West
Christmas Harbor
Key West harbor.... as unlikely as it would be, snow would be a pretty addition to this photo.
Harbor Lights
The Key West Harbor is very nicely decorated at Christmas. The reflections really enhance the lights.
Getting Ready
Each year at the end of October Key West welcomes Fantasy Fest. Trying to stay with the annual theme, painters decorate people as part of the festivities.
Eye Catching
Fantasy Fest ready
Grrrrrrrr
Tiger Lady on Duval Street for Fantasy Fest
Fantasy Fest Model
This gentleman was a model for a body painting studio. He was painted differently every time I saw him during the week long festival.
Merry Christmas
Says the flamingo
Merry Christmas
This tree was in the lobby of the Curry Mansion in Key West.
Fantasy Fest Week
A celebration full of creativity and fun.
Wisconsin State Fair
Every year in August fairgoers buy over 400,000 creampuffs.
Festive Face Painting
Fantasy Fest primed
More Faces
Popped into a Fantasy Fest painting shop and found a couple getting ready for a Key West Duval stroll. They were more than happy to let me take their picture.
Extreme face art
Went streetwalking yesterday looking for more creative Fantasy Fest face painting and came upon this guy. It is a combination of paint, hair, contacts and skin prosthetics all combined in a great mix of colors.
Fantasy Fest
10 days of color and imagination which for a camera guy equates to a "target rich environment" in Key West.
Parade Ready
In costume for a Fantasy Fest float
Happy Halloween
Roadside WI Halloween
We Get Ready
The group forms up for photos before the Friday "Locals Parade" during Fantasy Fest in Key West. Believe it or not, there really is a theme.
Triplets
Fantasy Fest Key West
Red Head
Interesting Fantasy Fest paint job
Fantasy Fest – Key West
He is on a float from Tampa with a group called F-Troop. I asked what they are and was told it was a mens club that travel around the country having fun while raising huge amounts of money for charity.
Be Afraid
If you are not into body painting, some just have their faces painted which is great. Fantasy Fest attracts painters from all over the USA for this event.
Sea Battle
An annual event in Key West - Conch Republic Navy vs US Coast Guard
Feathery Fantasy Fest Friends
Halloween yard art
Wisconsin
Fantasy Fest
The look I got when I asked her if he had his face painted.
Face Painting
Fantasy Fest
We Are Parade!
Painted Parade Viewers
Fantasy Fest
At Parade End
The parade ended and maybe 1/2 hour later this lone man is, I think waiting for it to come by again.
Key West Christmas Decorating
Sunset Performer
Mallory Square Sunset Celebration
Fantasy Fest Face Painting
Fantasy Fest
Key West
Conch Republic Days
Key West bed races