Masquerade March II

October 30, 2010

Jacqueline, Michael & Eric







Masquerade March II

The parade divides in to two separate marches with one heading Sorth down Frances Street to Truman then turning downtown. The other, more popular route and the one we elected to follow once again is the North route which goes down Frances to Fleming before turning towards downtown. This route tends to have the most local participants as well as locals watching as it winds through Old Town.









We have done both and they are both fun, but I prefer seeing as many friends as possible along the way. Whatever path you choose, there are a number of stops at guesthouses along the way, which distribute free drinks to all participants.



Jasmine & Kathy

This year seemed by far the largest crowd that I have seen at the event, just on our route there were literally thousands of costumed revelers in the parade- which stretched for blocks and blocks and moved slower than ever towards Duval Street. Not that we are complaining, the fun is just stretched out literally.



Andy & Kathy



We always see lots of friends who are watching along the way and by stopping we slowly were cycled from near the front of the procession to the very end where Key West police gently encourage the crowd to keep it moving, by no means an easy proposition. Of course when we were shuffled to the very end, there were a group of our friends dragging coolers and ambling along slowly despite the police encouragement.



Nowhere in America have I ever seen such liberal relaxation of local ordinances as there were open bottles and containers everywhere and the occasional nude or partially nude participant wondering along in full view of the authorities, who do a great job of keeping things under control and moving along. The masquerade march is relatively easy for them because there are never any of the drunken rowdies found downtown, just happy drunk locals.

Eileen, Melissa, Beth & Fiona

Rhett & Trevor





And happy is really the key, because the event still has a happy and creative feel that is sometimes lacking in the larger parade on Saturday. Everyone is in a great mood and the good vibe is infectious. We eventually merged with those from the other route when we were all joined again on Duval, which allowed us to see even more friends that we had not yet encountered.



Matt & Debra



We stayed downtown, hanging with a group of our friends and their functional shower that also served as a bar and sound system, so we literally were dancing in the street. Then it was over to the Green Parrot to close out another great Fantasy Fest night.

Kathy, Rick & Melissa Jean



Reggie & Kathy