Goombay, Fantasy Fest and Tattoos

I know you won't be shocked to hear that it is party time again on the island. Yes I do believe that drinking is the national past time here! So this week or shall I say the next 10 days brings an estimated 50,000 people to Key West for Fantasy Fest, the BIGGEST party of the year!

It started last night with Goombay. Now I am figuring you haven't heard about Goombay and we certainly hadn't but it is a KW African-American Heritage Festival that originated from the Bahamians who came and settled here many, many, many years ago. It is a 2 day street fair that takes place in Bahama Village, a local area in KW, and is set up to have food, drink, music and shopping. We were there last night eating and drinking our way from the beginning to the end where the stage was with a band playing great music. I have to say I had a bit to much of the Goombay Smash (some kind of rum punch) but we are going back again tonight since the Junkanoos will be there. I hate to miss that! Here is the website in case you want to know more.
http://www.goombay-keywest.org/

Also starting last night is Fantasy Fest. This is KW version of Mardi Gras with a pirate theme twist. This is THE festival of the year or so we have heard. In the previous years of coming to KW we never came in Oct so this is our first FF (yes there are still a few things in which we are virgins).
The events started on Fri night with the crowning of the FF king and queen and ramp up with more events each day till it is done on Sun Oct 26. There are SO MANY events each night that we can't even decide on which ones to attend when it gets to Tues - Sat. Here is the web site with the list of events for you to check out if you would like.
http://www.fantasyfest.net/schedule.cfm
If you want to check out the happenings live you can use the KW web cams.
http://webcam.keywest.com

There is ONE thing we have decided to attend or in this case participate in and that is the FAIRVILLA MEGASTORE MASQUERADE MARCH that takes place Fri night. Locally it is called the peoples parade since it is for anyone who wants to dress up and be in the parade. It is a HUGH deal for the locals and with our Mel Fisher group. There about 25 of us who will all be in the parade together and our theme is Zombie Pirates! So we are dressing up as dead pirates, are creating a coffin to carry the beer & rum drinks, will have a boom box with music and have created a dance to do in the parade that is to the music of Micheal Jackson's Thriller. WHAT A HOOT!!!!

The other event that is happening, not a usual FF event, but something that is taking place during this time. A local tattoo shop, Key West Ink, has decided to take on the Guinness Book of World Records for the most tattoos done in 24 hours record. The event starts at noon on Thurs and goes till noon on Fri. Now you know that Tom and I can't resist getting involved in this one. We both have wanted to get a second tattoo (yes it's true that once you get one you want another) and this will be a great way to be involved in setting the record. We have an appointment at 7 pm Thurs night to have ours done. We have a choice of a couple of designs that include a conchshell, dive flag or KW. These will all be small ones since it has to be done in a few minutes so that makes it a great one to have done. We haven't decide on which ones to do or where to put them. That will be left for Thurs night. Here is the website if you want to check it out. http://www.keywestink.com

So once the week is done and we have finally recovered ( yes it takes longer than it used to as we get older) I will report back on what all went on and will include pictures.
What an adventure this week will be!!!