Fantasy Fest is not a family oriented event and is not for the faint-hearted or the narrow-minded. A genuinely spectacular parade caps it all off after dark on Saturday night, and all along Duval Street that night anything goes. The 10-day event includes balls, costume and drag queen competitions, a Conch King and Queen are crowned at the end of a charity drive, a pet parade is held and a two-day street party takes place in the Bahama Village neighborhood. The police dress down and mingle with the crowds to prevent the few spoiling things for the many, but the unofficial attitude is that anything that doesn’t bother the majority is OK. Body paint is considered clothing, full nudity on the street is so normal it becomes passe, and the beaches heave with after-dark action. The population of the island increases by a factor of four to more than 100,000 as those with alternative lifestyles, same-sex partners, stars of porn movies, pole dancers from the world’s hottest clubs and plump people with a need to expose themselves all descend on the city. Due to Key Wests liberal attitude, it is an absolute mecca to gay and lesbian travelers so quite a few of the clothing optional Key West hotels do focus on purely male or female. Many of them are found around the Duval Street area, although you will need to investigate them closely. In the week leading up to Halloween, Key West is host to the bacchanalia called Fantasy Fest. Finding a naturist hotel in Key West is reasonably easy. Fantasy Fest: Mardi Gras of the Caribbean
