In Key West, royalty isn’t inherited, it’s earned. And four royal hopefuls are vying to be crowned the 2025 king and queen of Fantasy Fest by raising the most money for the Florida Keys SPCA between now and the Royal Coronation on Oct. 17 at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater.
Throughout a six-week fundraising blitz, the candidates hold everything from car washes to culinary adventures, body painting parties to bloody mary breakfasts.
Candidates schedule their own events and band together at a few all-candidate fundraisers to pool resources. The next all-candidate event will take place Wednesday, Oct. 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Gardens Hotel, 526 Angela St.
Now, let’s meet the candidates — Cindy Bensen, Floyd Jenkins aka Pepa Mahogany, Mina Valdez and Joe Wooten.
Cindy Bensen comes from a family that raised labrador retrievers and boarded animals, which gave her tremendous respect and love for all animals and their welfare at an early age..
While living in South Carolina, Bensen was known affectionately as the “Turtle Lady” for rescuing local turtles in perilous situations, with many saves to her credit. As a Key West resident, she is an active member of Save a Turtle, where she walks the beaches at dawn in search of new sea turtle nests. Bensen is an avid supporter of FKSPCA and is honored to be running for Fantasy Fest Queen 2025.
Floyd Jenkins aka Pepa Mahogany has lived in Key West since 2007. By day, he works as the executive administrative assistant to Key West police chief Sean Brandenburg.
But Jenkins’ impact only begins at work. As the founder of Pepa’s Books for Tots, he has delivered free books to thousands of Keys children.
He champions youth empowerment as a board member for Keys to Be the Change. Jenkins has cycled 165 miles for the SMART Ride, sashayed across the Real Men Do Drag stage, and dazzled Aqua Idol audiences — all to raise money for organizations like AH Monroe, Sister Season, MARC House, Queer Keys, the Florida Keys SPCA and the Waterfront Playhouse. For Jenkins, running for King of Fantasy Fest isn’t about a title; it’s a celebration of everything he loves: lifting others up, creating laughter and championing causes that matter.
Mina Valdez was born and raised in Key West and is still proud to call the island her forever home. Over the years, Valdez has been committed to grassroots fundraisers, community cleanups, hurricane relief and local charities like the Florida Keys SPCA. She’s always been more comfortable working behind the scenes. Her motto has always been: “Do it for the cause, not the applause.”
But this year as she turns 40, Valdez decided to step outside her comfort zone and run for Fantasy Fest Queen 2025.
Her campaign theme, “Every Furry Tail Deserves a Happy Ending,” reflects her love for animals and her commitment to the Florida Keys SPCA. She believes every paw print tells a story — and every pet deserves to live in a safe, loving home.
Joe Wooten came to Key West by way of Texas and Illinois, but has called the island home for more than a decade. Wooten enjoys spending his days with his fiancée, Keenan, and their Siberian husky, Koda. His dedication to community has been a lifelong quality. Wooten proudly served in the US Marine Corps for 10 years in the infantry, serving in Asia and the Middle East, including Iraq. Once settled in his new Key West home, he attended Florida Keys Community College, obtaining his certification and becoming a dive instructor. He then worked at Captain’s Corner Dive Center for many years.
Wooten’s passion for animals and his Key West community made his entry into the campaign an easy “yes.”
