Heroes and Villains

October 21, 2108





 







Heroes and Villains

The first weekday of Fantasy Fest has traditionally been something of a slow day, but in the past few years it has really revved up as more exciting and fun new events have been added to the schedule. This year the schedule kept me hopping between events as I was out on assignment, taking photos of various events to document the fun. The events that I attended included the Perry Hotel’s Ringmaster Pool Party, the Heroes and Villains 5K Run and the Womankind Brazaar decorated bra auction to benefit women’s health.






  
I started the day out on Stock Island at the Perry Hotel. This relatively new hotel was hosting a pool party with a circus theme that featured games, performers and live music with Patrick and the Swayzes, one of the best bands that plays Key West on a regular basis. It was a perfect day weather wise for a pool party as it was beautiful, sunny and hot and the music and entertainment was awesome.









This was actually a great little pool party and the Perry did a fantastic job with the circus theme, I am sure it was not as well attended as they might of hope, but horrible road construction on Stock Island may have dissuaded people from coming out. I had to drive around a maze of detours to get to the Perry and I know that it could not have been scheduled at a worse time for them.






 The people who did make it out were treated to a fun time and another spectacular performance by Patrick and the Swayzees and the event has plenty of room to grow if they continue it in future years. I hope they do as it provides a great daytime diversion and a fun way to get the week started.

Beth









Monday evening has been the purview of our friends at theme runs for the past few years and this year their annual Fantasy Fest event, the Heroes and Villains 5K run once again was among the dominant events on the calendar. Each year since its inception a huge mass of people have shown up dressed as their favorite heroes and villains to walk or run a route that begins at the Southernmost Hotel, loops past the Southernmost Point and onto Duval before heading out past the Casa Marina to Higgs Beach and back.









As always there were plenty of Superhero costumes and people dressed in all manner of fun costumes who walked or ran in the event depending upon their inclination. The event includes both serious competitors and those who just enjoy dressing up and getting a little exercise and there is a great mix of people of all ages and skill levels as far as being runners go. I think it is one of the largest of the many cool events that the folks at Theme Runs organize each year and it is certainly one of my favorites to attend.











In past years both Kathy and I have participated, but this year’s tight schedule prevented our being a part of it or attending the fun beach luau and awards presentation that follows the event. I was sorry to miss out on that, but happy that I got to be around before the runners took off and to watch a little of the race itself.













I had to rush over to the Key West Theater next where Womankind was hosting their annual Brazaar event, this evening of entertainment is centered around a bra auction of creatively decorated bras created by some of Key West’s best artists which raises money for Womankind and the wonderful work that they do in providing women with important health options.









Renee

Again, I was not able to stay for the entire event, but I was thrilled to learn after the fact that the event raised over $20,000 for the wonderful cause. What a spectacular and fun way to help out an amazing community based organization that works year round to provide to women in our city. I am so proud of and happy for all my friends at Womankind for hosting such an amazing event and for all the work they do year round. It is so cool that so many Fantasy Fest events are not just about having a good time, but actually doing good work.