The 2008 hurricane season has been a busy one thus far. The Keys have been marginally affected, with 3 named storms coming within striking distance of Key West.

Key West did sustain a direct landfall from Tropical Storm Fay late in the afternoon on August 18^th. Mainly a rain event, the storm did force the evacuation of tourists and residents alike. Fay went on to affect the entire state of Florida, dumping over 20 inches of rain around Cape Canaveral, resulting in much flooding of that area.

Other, much stronger storms Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, were close but fortunately passed to the south of Cuba as they made their way into the Gulf of Mexico. Each storm forced precautionary evacuations and preparations and rain bands from each lashed the Keys with some strong storms.

One other affect, from Ike specifically, was the disruption of fuel supplies to the Keys. Some stations ran out and others inflated their price as a result of Hurricane Ike and its eventual landfall around Texas oil fields and refineries as a Category 3 storm.

The good news is that we’ve made it past the peak of the season in the first part of September. And the tropics are quiet right now so let’s hope it stays that way!

Join one of the biggest street parties in the United States when you’re staying at the Tropical Inn Bed & Breakfast anytime between October 17^th and October 26^th.

This year’s theme, “Pirates, Pundits, and Political Party Animals” coincides well with the U.S. presidential election. Zany spoofs and costumes will abound nightly in Key West, with many events over the 10 day span, from the Homemade Bikini Contest or the Pet Masquerade & Parade to Sloppy Joe’s Annual Toga party to name a few.

Fantasy Fest was created in 1979 to draw visitors and business to the Keys during the slowest month of the year. Joe Liszka, founding member of Fantasy Fest, remembers in October of 1978 seeing Duval Street and Key West nearly deserted so he wanted to create a party that would tell people that October is a beautiful time to be in the Keys..

Thus, Fantasy Fest was born but it didn’t become a mainstay of Key West life until 1982, when the island seceded from the United States, becoming what is casually known as the Conch Republic for a short time. 

This year’s festival will culminate with Captain Morgan’s Fantasy Fest parade on Saturday night, October 25^th. But, as the old saying goes, “It ain’t over ‘till the fat lady sings” so the Fat Lady tea dance closes out the festival on October 26^th.

So, this maybe a good time to make your reservation for Key West’s quaint bed & breakfast, the Tropical Inn. It’s conveniently located to all of Fantasy Fest events, which will certainly fill your evenings with lively entertainment.