It’s nearly time for Key West’s annual Fantasy Fest, taking place Sunday, Oct. 28. This year’s theme is “Oh… The Games We Play!” with 10 fun days of costume contests, masquerade balls, parties and other events. Among the profusion of planned events are the opening of the Royal Coronation Ball, where the festival’s king and queen are crowned. That day, the island’s Caribbean roots are celebrated in the family-friendly Goombay street party in Bahama Village.

Later, Key West Burlesque will stage Madam DuJour’s Magical Game Show and Burlesque Experience, while costumed pets get their moment in the sun and vie with their human companions for prizes during the Pet Masquerade.

Other events include the 36^th annual Headdress Ball, where contestants display enormous, elaborately decorated masks in the pursuit of prizes. The festival offers plenty of opportunity for visitors to indulge in fantasy roles and to attend themed parties and competitions in costume. Some of the planned parties include the Ringmaster’s Pool Party, Venetian Masquerade Ball, Zombie Bike Ride and a retro beachside bash. The festival wraps up with a grand Bud Light Fantasy Fest Parade through the downtown area Saturday, Oct. 27, complete with costumed characters, fabulous motorized floats, outlandish marching groups and music from island-style bands.

Costumed revelers help kick off the Fantasy Fest Parade Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Key West, Fla. The extravaganza was the highlight event of the 10-day Fantasy Fest masking and costuming festival. The parade, that attracted tens of thousands of partiers, occurred about seven weeks after Hurricane Irma passed through the Florida Keys. (Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)