Even pets partying in the Keys

KEY WEST - Pink wigs, tutus, risque body painting: It must be time for this city's annual Fantasy Fest costume celebration.

More than 60,000 revelers are expected Saturday night for a decadent parade that is the highlight of the festival.

The 10-day festival ends Sunday and features more than 30 masked balls, street parties and costume contests for attendees eager to dress up, dress down or bare whatever they dare.

Not all events are racy. Wednesday's pet masquerade and parade drew dozens of costumed dogs, cats and other animals, including a duck costumed as Elvis Presley.

Mark Friga of Rochester, N.Y., dressed in a wig, tutu and fishnet stockings, carried his dog Olivia, who also wore a frilled tutu.

"We are ballerinas," said Friga, a 60-year-old accountant. "It's amazing what a grown man will do for his dog."

Lisa McGann of Tampa brought her 25-pound tortoise, Gammerita, and a terrier dressed as a crustacean to accessorize her pirate wench costume.

"Our group consists of a Scottish terrier as a lobster, my husband is a pirate, I'm a pirate and this one here is turtle soup," said McGann as she pointed to Gammerita.

[Last modified October 26, 2007, 01:05:42]