You won't need your sweater if you head down to Fantasy Fest in Key West, a 10-day extravaganza of parades, street fairs, costume contests and themed balls preceding Halloween.
This year's cavalcade of creativity is scheduled for Oct. 20-29. It will kick off with the Royal Coronation Ball announcing the king and queen of the festival, those who raised the most money for AIDS Help Inc.
The festival typically reaches a fever pitch on the last Saturday in October with the Captain Morgan Fantasy Fest parade. The route traces Duval, Whitehead and Front streets in Key West's historic Old Town, famed for its charming wooden conch houses, flambeau trees and geckos.
Fantasy Fest is where Key West locals and visitors alike show off their irreverent, wild-child selves. Although reminiscent of New York's Village Halloween Parade, New Orleans' Mardi Gras and the Philadelphia Mummer's Parade, Fantasy Fest serves up its own particular brand of light-hearted fun.
That's because Fantasy Fest is held in a small, off-kilter tropical town at the southernmost point in the United States, home to a diverse concentration of artists, illustrators and designers.
Falcone helped found Fantasy Fest 28 years ago along with his partner Bill Conkle and local community leaders, Frank Romano and Joe Liszka of Key West Aloe.
"Our creative community down here had always gone all out for Halloween. When we were trying to think of organizing an October event to boost tourism, the concept of Fantasy Fest was born," Falcone said.
The first Fantasy Fest, held in 1979, was a two-day Halloween party put on by the newly created Key West Tourist Development Association. It offered a food fair and parade drawing 5,000. Today the main festival parade draws more than 70,000 visitors.
This year's theme is Key Weird on the Dis-Oriented Express. Organizers anticipate various train-themed floats and costumes referring to Henry Flagler's overseas railroad and the Orient Express. No matter what the theme, Fantasy Fest parade floats and costumes tend to be elaborate and awe-inspiring.
"Sometimes you're watching the parade and your jaw just drops open at what you see coming toward you," said longtime Key West resident Carol Shaughnessy.
This year's festival will feature the talents of four contemporary masters of fantasy art at Wyland Galleries' Fantasy of Art Extravaganza. Featured artists John Pitre, Jim Warren, James Coleman and Walfrido will unveil their most recent images and paint while their fans look on.
Last year one group of "calendar girls," ranging into their late 80s, strutted their painted-chested selves down Duval.
"They had a great sense of humor. Everyone thought it was great," Falcone said.
For the truly uninhibited there's the clothing-optional rooftop bar above the Bull & Whistle in Key West.
Be assured however that those who prefer to keep their clothes on during Fantasy Fest are in the majority. Many visitors wear costumes, but a large percentage attend events in casual clothes.
"If you don't have a costume when you get down here you can always pick something up here. Most folks get caught up in the festive atmosphere and end up buying a mask or headpiece if they don't go all out," said Falcone, who has a closet full of Fantasy Fest garb.
And you may decide to get your face painted by one of the many body-paint artists at the festival.
Multiple costumes are useful during the 10-day celebration because of its sundry themed events, including the Sloppy Joe's toga party; '80s flashback dance party; party in plaid; wild wild Key West party; hot wench and wicked pirate tea dance; feelin' lucky Hawaiian luau; goombah party; homemade bikini contest, and the "pimp and ho" party.
Leather fans won't want to miss the Dungeons and Dragons leather fetish party.
Ambitious costume designers will want to enter the top Fantasy Fest costume contests offering cash prizes: Pretenders in Paradise and the 24th annual Headdress Ball.
Fantasy Fest events are held in the most popular restaurants and bars in the city, including Ernest Hemingway's old haunts, Sloppy Joe's and what's now Capt. Tony's. The day of the main parade, all of Duval will be humming, including gay and lesbian bars such as Bourbon Street, the 801 and Aqua.
The Westin is near Mallory Square, where locals and visitors gather for a sunset celebration every day of the year, including the 10 days of Fantasy Fest.
"I've lived here for 30 years, but I never get tired of our spectacular sunsets," Shaughnessy said.
Those who haven't made room reservations for Fantasy Fest should act fast as possible because bed and breakfasts, resorts and guesthouses fill up not only in Key West but also in the lower and middle Keys as well. The largest gay-friendly guesthouses in Key West are the Island House and the Oasis.
"There are still some rooms to be had but the closer to the event the less choice you have," Falcone said.
Latecomers will find lodging only available in the upper Keys and Miami area.
Because Key West is small, it's best to take one of the many shuttles to Fantasy Fest events rather than trying to drive and park.
Kathy Hagood is a Florida based free-lance writer.
FANTASY FEST: http://www.fantasyfest.net/ or (800) 464-2924.
GETTING THERE: Most major airlines feature flights out of Chicago to Key West connecting in Atlanta, Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
WHERE TO STAY: For lodging information in Key West, contact the Key West Chamber of Commerce at (800) 527-8539 or www.fla-keys.com.
EVENTS: A list of Fantasy Festival events and activities can be found at www.fantasyfest. net/schedule.htm
WEATHER: October temperatures average between a low of 76 and a high of 84 degrees. Water temperature averages 82 degrees.
TIPS: Because Key West weather is warm in October, it's important to stay hydrated and pace alcohol consumption. Bring suntan lotion and a bathing suit.