Neon Carnival: Key West's Lavish Parade with a Haunting Twist

Spectators can anticipate flamboyant festivities, carnival capers and ’90s flashbacks Saturday, Oct. 26, during the Key West Fantasy Fest Parade - with a “haunting” presence and a Florida Keys paranormal expert leading the procession as grand marshals. The lavish parade is the highlight of the Oct. 18-27 Fantasy Fest costuming and masking celebration, themed “It’s a 90s Neon Cosmic Carnival!”

Photo byAndy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO

With a route through Key West’s historic downtown, the parade typically includes several dozen decorated and motorized floats - many towering high above the watching crowds and featuring music, lighting effects and oversized moving elements. Accompanying them are island-style bands, marching groups and dancers garbed in elaborate sequined and feathered costumes.

Photo byAndy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO

The spirit of “Robert the Doll,” a 3-foot-tall sailor doll with a century-long history of eerie exploits, is to lead the parade. Once the companion of a Key West artist, the actual doll now resides in a glass case at Fort East Martello Museum - but his presence is to loom large in the parade alongside co-grand marshal and paranormal expert David Sloan.

Photo byPhoto: Carol Tedesco

Also an author and founder of the “Robert the Doll Experience” tour, Sloan penned the book “Robert the Doll” and is widely regarded as the world’s foremost authority on his haunted subject. Entrants in the 2024 parade are encouraged to draw inspiration from the festival theme, embracing neon-bright elements, classic carnival amusements, creatures from the cosmos and ’90s touchstones like Y2K hysteria and the era’s film favorites.

The culmination of Fantasy Fest’s 10-day roster of revelry, the parade is to begin at 7 p.m. at Southard and Whitehead streets. Glittering floats, bands and other participants are to travel down Whitehead toward the Gulf of Mexico, turn onto Front Street and then proceed a mile up Duval Street to the Atlantic Ocean. Spectators can observe and applaud the extravaganza - and salute “Robert the Doll” - from designated streetside areas or reservation-only viewing parties at emporiums and historic sites along the route.

Photo byRob O’Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO

Event information: fantasyfest.com. Key West visitor information: fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY

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