“It’s Astounding, time is fleeting, madness takes its toll…” -Riff Raff

 

October 27, 2021

“It’s Astounding, time is fleeting, madness takes its toll…” -Riff Raff

The madness that is the annual celebration of Fantasy Fest is well underway now and any thoughts that it might not be worthy without many of its signature events was pushed aside early in the week as the parties and events held in private bars and businesses were just as packed as ever and judging by the nightly crowds on Duval Street, you would never suspect that it wasn’t the usual Fantasy Fest.

I had been hired to photograph the festival and it gave me the reason to go out to as many of these events as possible so I found myself out every night of the week getting a first hand in depth experience into what this year’s festival was like. 

One of the highlights of the week was the return to the Waterfront Playhouse of the crazy, wacky and wonderful musical, “The Rocky Horror Show”. They did a production of the play two years ago and it was such a huge hit that they brought it back for a two-week run that overlapped with Fantasy Fest. Most of the original cast was back including the amazing Christopher Peterson as Frankie.

We had some of our friends in the show as well including Arthur Crocker as Brad, Belle Jampol as Janet and Carolyn Cooper as Columbia. We invited our friends Caitlin and Kat to join us for dinner at Kaya first and then the show. They happily dressed up, as did many in the raucous sold-out crowd. The entire run of the show was a complete sell out. 

It was so fun and so appropriate for Fantasy Fest week. Having seen the film version more than 100 times at Midnight showings, there is nothing quite like seeing a live production, especially one that had so many friends both in the cast and in the audience. After the play, I had to head over and photograph a benefit party for the Florida Keys SPCA at Rick’s Bar.

The next night, I had the assignment to take photos at the 29^th annual Homemade Bikini contest at the Smokin Tuna Saloon. This contest featured a slew of contestants competing for cash prizes for creating the best bikini out of everyday objects that you might find around the house. The emphasis is on the creativity and design of the bikinis and the event was as usual packed. This event is one that combines a creative element with a sexy side that Fantasy Fest is known for. 

I never stay around for the entire contest, as they tend to drag it out, and drag it out so that there is more time to sell food and alcohol. I like to head out onto Duval Street, which was blocked off again and crowded with all manner of costumed revelers. You see all sorts of crazy stuff, and it can often get raunchy and crude. Thankfully I did not witness anything completely gross, as the crowds seemed pretty well behaved and trending noticeably younger than in recent years.