Florida Keys business owners hope the 10-day Fantasy Fest will help restore tourism losses due to recent hurricanes.
By Associated Press
Published October 24, 2004
KEY WEST - Businesses in the Florida Keys hurt by four hurricanes that missed the island chain are looking forward to some fiscal relief from the annual Fantasy Fest celebration that began this weekend.
In its 26th year, Fantasy Fest is perhaps best known for attracting an uninhibited sort eager to shed their real-world personalities - and sometimes their clothes. The 10-day costume party continues through Halloween.
However, officials say they are concerned over an perception among many travel consumers who mistakenly think the Keys was devastated by the August and September storms.
Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne accounted for more than a loss of more than $50-million dollars in visitor-related sales in the Keys, tourism officials said. The storms hit southwest and central Florida and the Panhandle, but spared the Keys.
"Fortunately, Fantasy Fest is so popular people who had reservations called first to make sure everything was OK," said Peter Ilchuk, president of the Florida Keys & Key West Lodging Association. Fantasy Fest's king and queen - Key West residents Jean Claude Gosselin and Ginger King - raised the most money for Key West-based AIDS Help, and more than $235,000 was collected by all candidates. That was the second highest amount in the history of the event, which has raised $2.1-million to help people with AIDS and HIV.
The highlight event is next Saturday night's Fantasy Fest Parade, expected to attract more than 60,000 revelers.
