The Fantasy Fest Pet Masquerade is a tradition that will continue despite the retirement last year of longtime producer and emcee Nancy D’Amato.
Each year, people and their pets dress in costumes, then strut, waddle, prance and trot across a stage before an audience and judges, competing for fame, fortune and prizes.
Ultimately, the Tourist Development Association, the nonprofit that owns Fantasy Fest, decided to buy the entity. Florida Keys Media signed on as producer and chose the Sheriff’s Animal Farm as the recipient of the money the event raises.
“As Fantasy Fest’s premier family event, none of us at Florida Keys Media wanted to see the Pet Masquerade go away,” said general manager Rick Lopez, “So our team made the decision to pick up the producer torch. Everyone involved agreed the Sheriff’s Office Animal Farm was the perfect match for this event.”
The 30-year-old farm is an animal sanctuary and petting zoo located at the Stock Island jail, which houses people awaiting trial or serving sentences of less than a year. For the past 18 years the farm has been supervised and lovingly cultivated by “Farmer Jeanne” Selander, with “low-risk” inmates helping tend to the animals and their habitats.
“We currently have about 120 animals at the farm, which is 100 more than when I started,” said Selandar. “Albert the tortoise is the oldest at about 75-80 years old, and Simon the capybara is the youngest, at three years old. Visitors to our community days, from 1-3 p.m. on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, can meet and interact with all kinds of animals, including horses, pigs, bunnies, tropical birds, reptiles, an emu, an ostrich, a kinkajou and more. About 100 inmates per year are involved with their care and it’s such meaningful work for them that many continue to check in on some of their favorite animals even after they’ve been released.”
The 2024 Fantasy Fest Pet Masquerade is set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater. Registration begins at 5 p.m. Pets and their people take the stage beginning at 6:30 p.m. Prize categories include Junior, Pet/Owner Lookalike, Most Exotic, Overall Winner/Best in Show, and Best Adaptation of the 2024 Fantasy Fest Theme, “It’s a 90s NEON Cosmic Carnival!” The cost to register per category is $25, which benefits the animal farm.
General admission is free with free seating available. Attendees are also welcome to bring their own blankets and lawn chairs. Food and beverages will be available for purchase on site.
Fantasy Fest 2024 runs from Oct. 18-27. For a full calendar of events, schedule updates, contest details, and a downloadable mobile APP, visit fantasyfest.com.
