Tu Tu Tuesday

October 27, 2012

Kathy

Jasmine

Chris

DJ Jevne

Tu Tu Tuesday

If there is a possible contender with the Zombie Bike Ride as my favorite Fantasy Fest event, there is only a single possibility, the wonderful, wacky, eclectic and electric party known as Tu Tu Tuesday. Both of the events are early in the week, are packed with creative locals and bring out the absolute best in those who attend. Easily the two major highlights of Fantasy Fest for many locals, including myself.

Kathy, Michael & Gae





The funny irony is that neither event is part of the official Fantasy Fest sponsored line-up of parties and you won’t find them listed anywhere on the schedule of events. It is probably just as well, because local word of mouth and actual fun times have created what are in reality the best Fantasy Fest events and all the in the know locals and a few hip tourists have caught on, but if the word got out to the general public, the bloom may well come off the rose.



David & Breanne

Shannon & Lisa

I think about that since here I am spreading the word through this blog, which could possibly help create the over-popularity that has dampened the spirit of other Fantasy Fest events (Red Party anyone?). Hopefully the few readers I do have will not contribute to this- you should all come if you can- they really are the two best and moist creative costumed events of the week.









As usual the event began with a gathering at the Porch, where Tutu revelers geared up for the annual March of the Tutus as Tutu wearing partiers – and there were hundreds this year marched down Duval Street to Mangoes where the actual party was held once again. This year there had actually been a pre-party running of the Tutus – where guests ran between planned stops, downing drinks along the way as they got closer to the main party. It seemed to be a huge success, though it happened before we actually arrived.

Graf, Kathy & Trevor







We hung out at the Porch until the march began and trudged down Duval to the delight of the regular throngs of people- who once again generally had no idea what was going on, just that it looked like a lot of fun. Every person at the party must don a Tutu, no tutu equals no entry a rule that is rigidly enforced (perhaps the only one).







The party was already popping when we arrived and once again utilizing the entire Mangoes complex. It outgrew the formally upstairs only location a couple of years ago and has already about overgrown this one. Once the place reaches maximum occupancy, they stop allowing people in, which creates long lines of tutu wearing people waiting to get in most of the night. That happened fairly quickly as thousands of tutu-ed partiers danced and drank the night away.



Kathy & Celia



Live DJs both upstairs and downstairs and a happy lively crowd of friends made for yet another memorable and fun party. You see pretty much everyone there; it is a cross-generational party where everyone shares a fun and creative spirit. The all out effort that goes in to the creation of many of the costumes is beyond belief.

Kathy, Gil & Gae

Zombiefest

October 26, 2012









Zombiefest

The Zombie Bike ride has grown so much that it is actually sort of broken in to separate events, the first being the ride from Recycle to Salute, then a party at Salute and finally the last leg that culminates in what is an even larger party at two locations, the Porch and Fogarty’s which is collectively known as Zombiefest.  There are some people who only complete one of the sections, some just ride the first leg (mostly people with kids- who are welcome at this Fantasy Fest event), some who just show up at Salute and others who skip the ride altogether and just show up for the late night Zombiefest.

Carol & Michael







Then there is also a huge contingent which completes the entire thing, count us in that crowd. The party at Salute was fun; it is here where a lot of people show up just to check out the Zombie scene and get up close and personal with the thousands of Zombies. In fact the crowds watching this year were up in greater proportion than even the growth of participants and thousands lined the route to watch the Zombie bike parade.



Gae

The Phoenix family



The crowd along Duval Street was especially huge this year, bigger than most any other of the many annual parade crowds with the exception of the holiday parade and main Fantasy Fest parade on Saturday. We had the entire street to ourselves as Zombie Bikers pretty much took over the length of the street and had the crowd snapping photos and cheering as we passed. It was such a cool experience.





Danielle

Greta, Jeremy & Tom

Eliza & Michael

The parties were great as well, both at Salute which featured a DJ and even a Zombie flash mob that recreated Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” to remarkable effect. Really cool and fun for the huge assembled mob. The kids seemed especially excited and unlike many Fantasy Fest events, this one was totally family friendly. Nothing raunchy or really even risqué and other than some gory blood and fake guts- kids seemed to really enjoy the Zombie theme. Entire Zombie families participated.



Dan



Michael & Livi

Erin & Carolyn

The late night Zombiefest was a more adult version of the Zombie fun as the Porch and Fogarty’s were both completely filled to the gills with Zombies out for a fun evening. I staked out a good spot in the porch to witness the fun and mayhem that is Zombiefest and hang out with friends who were there and passing by. It is amazing how much you can see sometimes just by staying in one spot.

Layla





The entire Zombie Bike Ride/ Zombiefest event remains one of my most favorite events of Fantasy Fest week. The amazing fun spirit, the creativity, the (somewhat) familiar faces and the overall vibe of the event is really the perfect way to kick off the week of fun and frolic that is Fantasy Fest.