KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Revelers can expect out-of-this-world antics and outrageously freaky fun Friday, Oct. 23, through Sunday, Nov. 1, during Key West's annual Fantasy Fest celebration. Themed “All Hallows Intergalactic Freak Show,” the 2015 festival features 10 days of masquerade balls, creative costume contests, parties and eccentric escapades, all climaxing in a grand parade set for Halloween night.

Event organizers encourage participants to design floats and costumes around the festival theme. They might draw inspirations for finery from circus sideshows, pagan pageantry, outer-space epics or haunting Halloween tales. Creativity is rewarded with float and costume prizes as well as acclaim from Fantasy Fest crowds.

The exotic extravaganza is to begin with a Royal Coronation Ball Friday, Oct. 23, where a king and queen are crowned to preside over the festivities. Also that weekend, Key West's Caribbean roots are celebrated with Friday and Saturday's family-friendly Goombay street party in historic Bahama Village.

Friday through Tuesday, Key West Burlesque is to unveil “The Sexy Side of Star Wars,” a parody providing a sassy new spin on events in the fictional galaxy far, far away.

Subsequent festival highlights include Wednesday's wacky Pet Masquerade and Parade, an interstellar “freak show” where dynamic dogs, flamboyant felines, bodacious birds and other domestic animals — along with their human companions — compete for costume prizes.

Thursday brings dazzling doings that include the “over the top” Headdress Ball and Sloppy Joe's tantalizing Toga Party, both festival favorites that have been presented annually for more than 30 years.

Throughout Fantasy Fest, themed parties and costume competitions are planned to entice attendees ranging from eccentric earthlings and sensational space creatures to 1920s flappers, partiers in plaid, hippie chicks, pajama gamers, buccaneers and winsome wenches.

The schedule also includes a “Halos & Horns” soiree, a “living art” airbrush competition, glow galas, a rocking 60s-themed pool party and the Southernmost Intergalactic Circus Costume Contest.

Key West's renowned Duval Street becomes the “center of the universe” Friday as vendors of costumes, arts and crafts, food and libations star in the mile-long Fantasy Fest Street Fair. In addition, the Masquerade March draws masked and costumed extraterrestrials and freak-show fans for an exuberant walking parade.

The intergalactic insanity is to culminate Saturday, Oct. 31 — Halloween night — during the 3Wishes.com Fantasy Fest Parade through Key West's historic downtown. Tens of thousands of spectators converge to cheer the parade's exotic marching groups, Caribbean bands, costumed characters and lavishly decorated motorized floats.

Event information: www.fantasyfest.com

Key West visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY

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