Fantasy Fest

Tens of thousands of spectators packed Key West's most famous street Saturday night for the 46th annual Fantasy Fest parade, an event that showcased dazzling floats, creative costumes, and energetic performances, solidifying its reputation as one of the nation's most outlandish parades.

Tens of thousands of spectators thronged Key West's historic downtown Saturday night for Fantasy Fest’s highlight event, a parade featuring over 40 motorized floats and costumed marching groups.

On this week’s South Florida Roundup, we looked back at some of our favorite conversations and reporting from 2022, including: the return of Fantasy Fest; an interview with Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick; and the band made up of Miami-Dade firefighters.

Key West's annual Fantasy Fest celebration returned this year in full force for the first time since the pandemic shutdowns in 2020. The 10-day festival is known for bawdy costumes but artists also get to showcase their talents for the parades.

Fantasy Fest is kicking off in Key West, Florida, with a full slate of events for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic started more than two years ago.

Commissioners say they want a contract with organizers that would get rid of "fantasy zones" where being topless is allowed — if you're wearing body paint.

COVID-19 cases are higher than they’ve ever been in the Florida Keys — how are leaders responding? The cost of COVID on individuals and hospitals. Plus, Miami-Dade County transit's new director and his plans to improve transportation.

Fantasy Fest usually brings tens of thousands of people to the island, culminating in a big Saturday night parade. Organizers announced Monday that the parade, along with street fairs, are canceled this year.

Fantasy Fest is canceled, but people are still showing up. A look at the 2000 election and the role South Florida played. And what you would see if you walked the distance of Florida?

Fantasy Fest is the biggest event of the year in the Florida Keys. It was canceled this year because of the pandemic. But die-hard partiers plan on carrying on the costume and scant-clothing tradition, despite concerns from locals.

Fantasy Fest, Key West’s annual 10-day celebration of the scantily clad and the silly since 1979, won’t happen this year because of the coronavirus…

Hundreds of people each year parade the streets of Fantasy Fest in Key West after having their naked bodies transformed into artwork through detailed body…