Fantasy Fest’s Masquerade March, affectionately known as the Locals’ Parade, takes place Friday, Oct. 23 at 5:30 p.m., and is arguably the fan favorite, the community darling of the 10-day party. While the broader festival was established as a means of drawing tourism, and an economic bump, to the island in its sleepiest month, the Masquerade March developed as an antithesis to the commercialization of the main festival. Fantasy Fest began in 1979 and quickly gained commercial traction. By the early to mid-1980s, locals felt that the scales had tipped too far in the direction of a formally managed event. Key West, in all its glorious eccentricity, set out to “Conch it up” a bit.
The first few years, the Locals’ Parade wasn’t sanctioned or scheduled, it simply happened. Within a few years, as the main events continued to grow, the march became more organized. The Locals’ Parade now attracts over 10,000 costumed revelers — locals and visitors — walking an ever-slowing path through Old Town.
Despite its growth, the ethos and atmosphere have held steadfastly to the grassroots, DIY origins of the first march. For safety and logistics, there is now a published route and suggested starting time, but the rest of the elements remain free-spirited and non-motorized. There are no motorized floats beyond a few pulled wagons. Guest houses along the route hand out Jello shots, while guests fling beads from the balconies above. Neighbors join the excitement from the sidelines, passing out refreshments and cheering along, what feels like, the world’s slowest race.
This year, the parade continues, 40-some years after a few locals first decided to show visitors how it’s done. The Masquerade March will follow two routes, a development that happened several years ago as a way to manage the crowds. The traditional route still gathers at 5 p.m., and steps off at 5:30 from the Frances Street side of the Key West Cemetery. The newer route starts near the intersection of Fleming and White streets, and gathers around 4 p.m. before also stepping off at 5:30. Entertainers and photo-ops energize the walkers willing to take on the extra hour and additional couple of blocks. Eventually, the two routes join together, creating a perfect glittered flood that snakes down Southard Street toward Duval.
Most years, participants take the main Fantasy Fest theme as a jumping off point for creative costuming, with group costumes and individual takes on pop-culture and political flashpoints from the year. Of course, some of the most memorable costumes come from the creative souls, who go ‘off book’ with costumes meant to shock, elicit laughs or simply encourage plenty of photos.
Whether walking or watching, the Locals’ Parade promises to live up, yet again, to its storied history with an abundance of creative costumes, drinks pulled from cleverly outfitted wagons and a guaranteed good time.
