Goombay Smash!

October 23, 2010







Goombay Smash!

Fantasy Fest is here! The annual 10 day long party that envelopes the island each year has begun and as usual, Kathy & I will be active participants. The party kicked off over the weekend with the two day Goombay Festival celebration as well as the Fantasy Fest King & Queen coronation party at the Southernmost Beach Café. Goombay easily ranks as one of my favorite events of the year, let alone of Fantasy Fest and we joined thousands of locals at the huge street fair once again this year.

Rodney & Michael



Chris & Erin

We started the weekend at the Coronation. This event caps off two months of fundraising efforts by the King & Queen candidates with the people raising the most money for AIDS Help being crowned at the lavish party and performance that is the official start of Fantasy Fest.





Howard Livingston

This year the event moved to a wonderful new location, the Southernmost Beach Café and was greeted with almost perfect weather under a nearly full moon with a slight ocean breeze and waves lapping up on the beach where the stage was located. The evening features a small skit or performance from each candidate as well as additional entertainers, making for a full evening of fun before the big announcement. It is a great party and a ton of fun for a great cause.

Queen Anne O'Shea



This year over $207,000.00 was raised by the candidates with Ann O’Shea capturing the Queen and Chris for King getting the crown as King. It was a tremendous effort all around and was a terrific success considering the current economic situation. After the coronation, we headed over to Bahama Village to enjoy Goombay.





Rick

It is difficult to describe what it is about Goombay that makes it so appealing. The wide array of Caribbean food vendors, the many interesting vendors, the great entertainment that graces the stages there are all excellent possibilities. But what is really the key to making it so special is a combination of the people there and the mood that they all seem to be in.



Elio, Suzy Jo, Carla & Autumn

The Winns

Goombay draws out people from every sector of the island. Everyone goes and thus the amazing diversity that is Key West is highlighted. Each year you run into people that you haven’t seen in ages and everyone is brought together in a spirit of happiness and the mood is incredible.

Marci

Michel & Kathy

Chris & Erin

The anticipation of Fantasy Fest and all that it means as far as fun as well as positive economic impact puts just about everyone in a great mood. Unlike some Fantasy Fest events, Goombay is totally family appropriate and there are kids everywhere and many families come out to see and enjoy their friends and the community of Key West that really is “One Human Family”.



Kathy & I hung at Goombay until the police started clearing the street, well after the official conclusion of the event on Friday evening and opted against joining the after-party at the Green Parrot where Suenalo was playing, after all there is another night of Goombay to enjoy.