"Party Animals" Take Center Stage At Pet Masquerade
KEY WEST (CBSMiami/FKNB) - A wacky costume competition in Key West Wednesday evening featured some super hero pups and supernatural kitties.
The annual Pet Masquerade, a showcase of "animal magnetism", was one of the highlights of Key West's 10-day Fantasy Fest costuming and masking festival, themed "Super Heroes, Villains… & Beyond," that continues through Sunday.
Dressed-up dogs and cats cavorted across an oceanfront stage during the offbeat competition that drew about 1,000 spectators. Its nearly 60 entries ranged from pet-and-person "dynamic duos" to costumed groups of people and animals performing lighthearted skits.
Slideshow: Fantasy Fest Pets On Parade
Standouts included, an ensemble of superheroes featuring a dog actually named Batman, a "vampire cat" with a replica coffin and a couple who staged a Superman skit with their Jack Russell terriers portraying a villain and the "man of steel."
Two entries featured small dogs costumed as Diana Nyad, who recently swam from Cuba to Key West, being "menaced" by humans dressed as stinging jellyfish.
Upcoming Fantasy Fest events include a masquerade march through Key West's historic district and Saturday night's flamboyant Captain Morgan Fantasy Fest Parade. Nyad herself is to lead the procession of elaborate motorized floats and exotically costumed walking groups.
Large crowds are expected for the festival, but Keys tourism officials say hotel rooms are still available. They stress that reservations are necessary to ensure accommodations.
The Florida Keys News Bureau contributed to this report
