Body Painting in Fantasy Fest Occurs the Week Before Halloween

Body Painting in Fantasy Fest Occurs the Week Before Halloween

Key West's "Fantasy Fest" has evolved into a large, uninhibited festival that celebrates American sexuality. Held in October on the week preceding Halloween, the 7-10 day event is centered on Key West's traditional main commercial avenue: Duval Street. People come from as far away as Europe, South America, and Canada to participate in an exhibitionistic gala of lingerie, high heels, body paint, and even open displays of nudity and sensuality.

Body painting has become one of the central attractions of Fantasy Fest. Beginning around 11:00 a.m. each morning, visitors line up or make reservations at the handful of exclusive body painting stations located along Duval Street. They bring with them an idea of how they want to be portrayed. Whether it's painted lingerie, becoming a lioness, provocatively adorned in vines, or following more traditional Halloween themes, tourists want the opportunity to experience being unclad (and socially accepted) as they stroll down Key West's downtown public sidewalks. Others are there to take it all in with their spouses and cameras in hand. In Key West, the voyeur and exhibitionist nourish each other. With one's face painted, anyone can assume a wholly anonymous or hidden identity. So being photographed by strangers becomes part of the fun. It's a unique opportunity to display your physical self without any negative repercussions from friends, family, or fellow churchgoers back in Peoria.

Over a decade ago, some conservative citizens of Key West lobbied the city council to put an end to nudity during Fantasy Fest. Police were instructed to arrest individuals who openly displayed breasts or genitalia. The crackdown predictably dampened visitor interest. On the following year, Fantasy Fest was a bust. Few tourists bothered to fly in for the week or book rooms. Consequently, the business community stormed city hall and demanded that this Victorian approach be rescinded and asked that public nudity downtown be tolerated during the festival. With restrictions lifted, thousands of out-of-towners returned the following autumn.