Blue Headdress

October 24, 2018

Virginia











Blue Headdress

One of the premier and classic events of Fantasy Fest is the Headdress Ball presented by the Key West Business Guild. This year marked the thirty-sixth annual ball that is one of the true fixtures that links todays Fantasy Fest back to its roots in the Gay and Lesbian community and is still the most significant event of the week presented by the LGBT community and as always it was fabulous.



Randy Roberts, Tom Luna and Christopher Peterson

Lucy



Bria

The event is emceed by local legend Tom Luna and includes performances by some of the most talented performers in Key West in addition to the main attraction the Headdress competition which always features some of the most amazingly creative costumes that you will see throughout Fantasy Fest. The competitors take this competition seriously and many of them spend countless hours creating the magnificent creations.











The event is always a complete sell-out as a virtual who’s who of Key West is on hand to see the show and it really is a show. Incredible performances from the likes of Randy Roberts, Terri White and Christopher Peterson highlighted the show and it was once again spectacular. Last year the event moved to the Key West Amphitheater and was actually the very first event ever held there. It was back this year with the normal set of sold-out tables as well as new general admission that could watch the happenings from the hillside.











Contestants in huge, lavish masks and headdresses — some towering far higher than their wearers — made “headlines” at Key West’s Headdress Ball, it was a highlight of the 10-day Fantasy Fest . Many competitors in the event sported headdresses adorned with exotic feathers, offbeat accessories and even moving parts..



Erin











Standout entries included “Ultimate Evil,” an imposing tiger ensemble worn by Austin Ferguson of Key West, who performs as Elle Taylor. Competitor Amanda Scott of Key West was attired in a toothy “Piranha” headdress, while Jay Solley of Big Pine Key impersonated a walking board game as “Monopoly.” My friend, Virginia Wark attired as “Keyopoly” won the top honor at the ball with her beautiful and creative entry.











Unlike some events, I stayed for the completion of this one, cheering Virginia on as she walked away with the prize. She always makes the coolest, most creative and inspired costumes every year and it was great to see her get the recognition she deserves.  The other fun party that I attended was the annual Lucy’s Blue Party. Lucy’s Retired Surfer’s Bar recently moved from their old Grinnell Street location to the heart of lower Duval Street downtown and hosted the first Blue Party in the new space.







The party I must say has become the best of the numerous “color” parties, the annual Red Party at Fogarty’s, which was the first and for year’s one of the best parties in Key West has fallen on tough times and is a shadow of its former self. Held at the same time as the Blue Party basically just next door, it was immediately obvious that the Blue Party has become the go-to party. Not sure how the Green (Green Parrot), White (Rick’s) or Pink (Fat Tuesday’s) did, but the Blue Party rocked.











Held as a benefit for my former employer, Reef Relief, the party features an ocean theme that goes beyond just selecting a color as the basis for a party and the entire place was decked out as some kind of cool underseas party palace and the people there certainly went along with the theme, which always improves the party.











I have been pretty happy with the recent direction of Reef Relief, after years of seemingly spinning their wheels, they seem to have turned a corner and begun to return to more direct action policies. Trying to get plastic straws outlawed on the island is a good start and they have already convinced a number of restaurants and bars to stop using them. Hopefully this signals a return to the days when Reef Relief was one of the preeminent conservation organizations in the country.



Mill



Dora



http://www.headdressballkeywest.com/