Art takes human form at Fantasy Fest 2019
Florida’s Fantasy Fest 2019 is the annual celebration of adult creativity and play featuring costumes, parties, and everything in the fantastic. The Fantasy Fest 40th anniversary took place in October 2019.
This year’s theme was “In Tune but Off Key.” Over 70,000 guests filled the overwise calm area with the liberation of costumes, body paint, and parades.
This 10 day celebration is the largest festival in Key West, hosting a variety of exotic events that fulfill any definition of “fantastic.” This playground for adults makes Mardi Gras pale in comparison to the jam-packed event schedule.
Trying to decide between the many events?
One of these popular events is the Living Art Expo, which highlights the talent in body paint. The Fantasy Fest’s Living Art Expo is a showcase of “human form as a living canvas.” Sunset Pier in Key West was turned into a colorful array of human body art that was open to all with free admission.
Bodies were made into canvas with paintings of Elvis in costume, mermaids, interpretive art, and the regular band tee and shorts. The Living Art Expo at Sunset Pier allowed both skin and physical performance to showcase the potential of the human body as it was transformed into art.
Men, women, those outside the binary, and groups all competed to win the title of “Best Overall Living Art of Fantasy Fest 2019” and win $3000 in cash and prizes. This was a free event with VIP admission available for purchase.
Do you care for a little history?
Fantasy Fest’s popularity has only increased since its foundation in 1979. The main draw for its audience is the freedom of expression without judgement or restriction. Embracing the oddities of Halloween traditions and combining it with liberty of adult-only fun, Fantasy Fest is dedicated to embracing the taboo.
Other events include the Reddy Ice Fantasy Facade Competition, where homes and businesses compete with elaborate decorations for a cash prize. The Fantasy Fest Royal Coronation crowned the voted King and Queen of Fantasy Fest, and included a two-hour stage show and a three-course meal.
Saturday was dedicated to Zombie activities, with brunch, body painting, and after-parties throughout the day. The Zombie Bike Ride is one of the few annual family friendly events of the festival. Guests hopped on their bike dressed or painted as zombies and joined the invasion along a bike route that leads up to Zombiefest activities.
These are just but a few of the events that Fantasy Fest 2019 had to offer, as each of the 10 days had its own unique schedule that ensured every moment was fanciful.
Next year’s Fantasy Fest 2020 theme will be “Roaring 2020s and Future Fictions,” which will aim to take the nostalgia of the 1920s and apply it to ideas of a dystopian future.
Below you will find our photo galleries. Capturing an array of the body art and performances that competed.
Make sure you check out the Living Art Expo gallery. It is one of the many events happing during the festivities.
You might also like
More from Fantasy Fest
Fantasy Fest 2018 in Key West, FL: A Spirited Journey Through the World of Games and Imagination
Fantasy Fest 2018 in Key West, Florida: A Celebratory Fusion of Fantasy and Reality Key West, Florida, renowned for its vibrant …