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Fantasy Fest Underway In Key West

KEY WEST (CBSMiami/AP) — It's that time of year again, time for the annual Fantasy Fest in Key West.

Fantasy Fest features 10 days of uninhibited masquerade balls, street parties, marches and costume contests including one for pets.

The festival concludes on Oct. 27, the day after a nighttime parade with endurance swimmer Diana Nyad as grand marshal. Festival organizers expect more than 60,000 revelers for the procession. This year's theme is "Super Heroes, Villains & Beyond."

At Friday night's Coronation Ball, Key Westers Stephen Sunday and Diane May were crowned festival king and queen. Royal candidates campaigned by raising money for Florida Keys' AIDS Help. The annual competition has amassed about $3.8 million since it began in 1989.

Tourism officials say Fantasy Fest accounts for an estimated $30 million in annual revenues for the Florida Keys.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

 

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