Fantasy Fest News -
Traditionally
October has been a slow time for tourism in the Keys,
but since its inception, Fantasy FestŪ has continually
boosted the economy by filling up hotel rooms and inundating
local businesses, restaurants, and bars during this time
period. The tremendous influx of visitors during the
ten days of the festival sustains the local economy until
the holiday season begins. Fantasy Fest is committed
to extending the time that visitors stay by encouraging
the creation of diverse events throughout the entire
ten days. The opportunity to show off the imaginative
and resourceful spirit that defines the Keys excites
participants as well as the thousands that are drawn
to the Keys.
Frank Romano, a board member
of the Tourist Development Association of Monroe County,
Inc. (TDA), and a founding member of Fantasy Fest, gives
us a personal introduction into the conception of Fantasy
Fest. He shares the early vision of Joe Liszka, President
of the TDA, giving us a glimpse of how this good-natured
revelry came to be.
"In 1978, on Halloween Day, Joe Liszka asked me to accompany him to the intersection of Front and Duval Streets. He asked me to look up Duval Street and tell him what I saw. "What was I supposed to see?" "No cars moving, no people walking, lots of store fronts boarded up because the retailers take their vacation in this slow season?"
"How is the weather," he asked. "Well, it is a typical beautiful day in Paradise, warm, with bright sunshine." "That's what's wrong," he told me. " Here it is the most beautiful weather day of the season and the town is deserted. Workers are laid off. Business owners have a tough time paying their expenses. It is a disaster season for the Key West economy."
"I understand", I replied, "but what can we do about it?" "We need a fest, a carnival, a celebration, something that will entice people to change our moribund season to one of great fun; a party that will bring many people to understand that this season is one of our best," he replied.
Liszka's creative inspiration
was the birth of Fantasy Fest. Now, Halloween is the
busiest day of the year with thousands of people visiting
our town. Fantasy Fest week produces the most revenue
of any week in the year. A moribund season has become
our best. Thank you, Joseph Liszka."
Frank Romano
Board Member
The Tourist Development Association of Monroe County, Inc.
