Key West Fantasy Fest, with its scores of parties, parades and events and the 2025 theme “Bedtime Stories & Magical Monsters,” kicks off October 17, but for “makers” like Kristyn LaMoia, the annual extravaganza starts weeks in advance as she begins to conceptualize and craft her magic. Kristyn recently shared a glimpse into her Fantasy Fest world:

Where were you born, and what brought you to the Keys?
Kristyn: I was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida! Work is what brought me here—specifically, a random email to Wonderdog Studios seeking graphic design work. My family had visited the Keys a few times, I enjoyed it and figured, why not see if there were any design jobs to be had. Sure enough, there was. I came down in May of 2017 and fell in love.
 
Can you tell us a bit about your artistic background and how you developed your creative chops?
Kristyn: I’ve always felt pulled to create things. I went to college for graphic design because, to me, it blended psychology and art together perfectly. In 2020, I started selling my original artwork professionally in some Key West galleries. I didn’t really dive into three-dimensional art or costume work until I discovered Fantasy Fest!
 
What year did you first bring your talents to Fantasy Fest costume creation?
Kristyn: I was fortunate to be part of the creative team involved with rebranding Fantasy Fest in 2017, designing the new logo and poster artwork. That experience laid the mental groundwork for me to start contributing more personally to the event. At first, costumes just felt like a fun side project—a way to join in on the celebration creatively.

I think my first “big-ish” costume was a Venus Fly Trap head I made for the 2018 Zombie Bike Ride. “Brains… it’s what plants crave!” (A spoof on a line from the movie “Idiocracy”).
 
What did you make for 2024?
Kristyn: Too many costumes! I was very inspired by the '90s theme, so went all out.
·       "Smiley Rave Baby" was a Lisa Frank/acid rave/Rainbow Brite-inspired smiley face head, made by painstakingly paper mâché-ing many layers over an exercise ball.
·       "Dead Tech" was a resurrected vintage iMac I got off eBay. I gutted it, cut a hole in the bottom, and wore it on my head. I also spent many hours creating a matching corset and skirt using my dad’s collection of old computer cords.
·       I also made an "Unbirthday Girl" outfit for Tutu Tuesday, tying into the “Alice in Wonderland” theme. I learned how to "frost" my outfit and headdress using spackling and caulking to make it all look like cake.
All of this happened inside my 9'x12' bedroom, by the way.
 
Will you share what you’re cooking up for 2025?
Kristyn: After years of partying for multiple days in a row with my head fully enclosed in headdresses, I vowed that 2025 would be all about comfort and ease. I decided I wouldn’t make anything too crazy or plan too far ahead—usually I start in August. So, you and I will both be surprised by whatever I end up wearing this year—if anything at all, haha!
 
Any must-have items on your costume creation checklist?
Kristyn: Hot glue, cardboard, and a bicycle helmet—the foundation of pretty much all my big headdresses.
 
Any particular challenges or memorable mishaps from past years?
Kristyn: Oh, plenty! I’ve lost count of hot glue burns and minor blood sacrifices. But when the Dremel blade came flying off while I was cutting a hole in the bottom of the iMac is when I took a profound moment to appreciate the miracle of not losing an eye.
 
Once I was creating a big anglerfish head out of cardboard, but had to pause while my house got tented for termites (so Key West). When I came back, the base had completely collapsed—probably from the moisture in the air.
 
My favorite recurring challenge is getting myself and my costumes to and from parties! Most of my costumes aren’t exactly bike friendly, so I end up transporting them in a little cart attached to the back of my bike – kind of like a minimalist, quirky parade float.
 
Favorite thing about Fantasy Fest?
Kristyn: The camaraderie among locals. Even though the city gets flooded with visitors, I feel more connected to the friends who work hard to produce these events and/or contribute creatively—photographers, bartenders, costume creators. It’s a week of celebration, shared challenges, and overflowing appreciation for this special community.
 
Key West Fantasy Fest 2025 presented in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and We’ve Got the Keys. For a full calendar of events, contests, schedule updates, and a downloadable mobile APP, visit http://www.fantasyfest.com.

UPPER KEYS, FL – New toll rates on Card Sound Road will be effective on Oct. 1, 2025. The toll adjustment follows the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index.
 
The following rates will take effect on Oct. 1, 2025:
 
SunPass

• $2.13 for two-axle vehicles: cars, pickup trucks, or motorcycles
• $4.08 for three-axles
• $1.35 per each additional axle

 
Toll-By-Plate

• $3.18 for two-axle vehicles: cars, pickup trucks, or motorcycles
• $6.08 for three-axles
• $2.03 per each additional axle

 
The toll is completely electronic using Toll-By-Plate, SunPass, or another highway pass like E-Pass or EZ-Pass. No cash is accepted at the toll. The toll helps fund road maintenance costs and future repair and replacement of the five bridges along Card Sound Road.
 
Two discount programs are available for drivers with a two-axle vehicle and a good-standing SunPass account.

1. Monthly Discount Program: Drivers do not need to sign up for the monthly discount program and will automatically receive a 40 percent rebate on their SunPass account after any calendar month in which 28 or more one-way trips are made through the toll.
2. Annual Pass: The annual pass is for frequent users and allows unlimited travel through the toll. The fee is $533 annually from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2026. The annual pass will be available for purchase beginning December 2025. Additional details on the annual pass program will be released later this year.

 
For more information on the toll and discount programs, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/cardsoundtoll.

The City of Key West’s City Attorney Kendal Harden has issued a memo clarifying a recent court decision regarding the open carrying of firearms.

On September 10th, the First District Court of Appeal in McDaniels v. State struck down Florida Statute § 790.053(1), which had prohibited open carry of firearms. The Court held the ban unconstitutional under the Second Amendment in light of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions requiring firearm restrictions to be consistent with “historical tradition.” The McDaniels decision is binding throughout the State of Florida.

On September 15th, Attorney General James Uthmeier issued a statewide memorandum directing that:

• Law enforcement and prosecutors should no longer arrest or prosecute law-abiding citizens solely for carrying a firearm openly.
• The State will no longer defend convictions or prosecutions under the invalidated statute.
• The AG emphasized that existing restrictions still apply. For example, felons cannot possess firearms and threatening or reckless display of firearms is unlawful.

​Florida law and federal law continue to prohibit carrying firearms, open or concealed, in the following locations:

• Schools (K–12), school administration buildings.
• Courthouses / courtrooms.
• Polling places during elections.
• Meetings of government bodies (county, municipal, school boards, etc.).
• Detention facilities, jails, prisons.
• Law enforcement facilities (police, sheriff, highway patrol stations).
• Airport passenger terminals / sterile areas.
• Establishments licensed for alcohol consumption, in areas primarily devoted to serving alcohol.
• Any place prohibited by federal law (e.g., federal buildings).
• Private property where the owner expressly forbids firearms. A refusal to leave after such an order can be charged as armed trespassing. 

Key West-based singer-songwriter and story-telling icon Ben Harrison is set to bring his irreverent humor, original music, and 47 years of storytelling magic back to the stage in a six-show concert series at the Key West Theater’s intimate 60-seat Backstage Listening Room, 512 Eaton St., Key West. Performances are set for January 8 and 21, February 5 and 17, and March 5 and 25.
 
Known for solo shows rich in wit, warmth, originality, and a seasoned cynicism distilled from years of performing in Key West bars, Harrison takes the stage with just his voice, his droll humor, and his Martin guitar. Each performance draws audiences in with stories that are irreverent, funny, and steeped in the true – and often wonderfully bizarre – history of Key West.
 
Doors for Ben Harrison in Concert open at 6:00pm, with Harrison taking the stage at 7:00pm. Tickets are $35.00 and available at https://thekeywesttheater.com or at the door until 7:00pm subject to availability.

​KEY WEST, FL – Monroe County is working closely with the City of Key West to potentially transfer ownership of the Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach Park from the county to the city. The two governments have been coordinating to address regulatory, historical, and operational considerations required to complete the conveyance of the 16.3-acre park parcel. Both the city and county commissions discussed this opportunity on Sept. 3. The city requested a cost-benefit analysis and discussed master plan improvements, which were developed for the park years ago. 
 
The property includes the beach and pier area, tennis and pickleball courts, playgrounds, dog park, pavilions, the restaurant and parking area, and the historic West Martello Tower, home of the Key West Garden Club. A third parcel, the recently decommissioned Non-Directional Beacon site within the park, is owned by the Navy and managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Airport staff are working with the FAA to determine if they will transfer the site to Monroe County. The airport is committed to building an all-purpose recreational field in that location, if the land can be transferred. 
 
“Transferring this park will allow Key West residents to have greater input on how they want the park used, and it will streamline operations, allowing Monroe County Parks and Beaches staff to focus on areas in unincorporated Monroe County,” said County Administrator Christine Hurley. “Our goal is to work closely with the city to preserve and improve this iconic local asset while respecting the grant obligations and historic character of the property.”
 
Following Hurricane Ian, Monroe County has several ongoing capital and FEMA-funded projects at Higgs Beach, including seawall repairs, Reynolds Street Pier upgrades, pavilion restoration, and West Martello Tower historic and mitigation improvements. These repairs and enhancements will continue, and staff are currently evaluating how the transition will impact all grant and funding opportunities. Given these complex details, an interlocal agreement between the city and county is likely needed to document the improvements the county will make using grant and other funding sources.
 
“We are exploring opportunities to collaborate with Monroe County on the potential acquisition of Higgs Beach to ensure its long-term preservation and public benefit,” said Key West City Manager Brian L. Barroso. “Working together, we aim to align on shared goals related to environmental stewardship, community access, and responsible management. This partnership could strengthen local engagement and help secure the future of this valuable coastal resource.”
 
Once an interlocal agreement is in place, the county could then convey the property to the city, after both commissions approve it. 

BIG PINE KEY, FL – Monroe County Parks and Beaches invites the community to Trunk or Treat on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Big Pine Key Community Park soccer field, 31009 Atlantis Drive.
 
This free, family-friendly event offers a safe way for children to enjoy Halloween festivities. Families are encouraged to come in costume, bring treat bags, and enjoy decorated car trunks, games, and fun activities. Prizes will be awarded for the best-decorated trunk and costume.
 
Community members and organizations are encouraged to participate by decorating a trunk and handing out candy. To register a vehicle, email [email protected]. Learn more about Monroe County Parks and Beaches at www.ParksAndBeaches.Fun.
 
To add to the fun, the Lower Keys Rotary will also be hosting its annual haunted house “Halloween Horrors” at the Big Pine Key Community Park, Oct. 10, 11, 12, from 8 to 10 p.m.

The Sons and Daughters of Italy Key West Lodge #2436 is once again partnering with the Tropic Cinema to raise funds for a scholarship fund benefiting area high school seniors of Italian descent. Their popular “Italian Night at the Movies” series returns on the first Wednesday of each month through May 2026.

The new season kicks off on Wednesday, Oct. 1, with the 1991 Italian comedy “Johnny Stecchino” (Italian with English subtitles) starring Roberto Benigni in a hilarious dual role – as sweet but clueless bus driver Dante, and Dante’s doppelganger, a dangerous mobster named Johnny Stecchino.

Set in Sicily, good hearted but naive Dante is happy driving a school bus for a group of Down Syndrome children, while feeling he is somehow missing out on life and love - until he meets the glamorous Maria, played by Nicoletta Braschi, Benigni’s real-life wife. Maria seems immediately enamored of him and he is soon invited to her sumptuous Palermo villa, little suspecting that this is part of a plot that will involve mistaken identity, mafia intrigue and romance.

This series is sponsored in part by the Florida Keys Council of the Arts. Doors open at 5:30 pm, movie starts at 6:15 pm and includes “a taste of Italy” in the form of complimentary Sicilian Panna Cotta before the film. The evening will also include a raffle for Italian ceramics and two movie tickets. Sicilian wines will be available for purchase at the Tropic Cinema concession stand.
​
Tickets are $20 per person and are available online at TropicCinema.com or day of at the Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton St.  

A New Season Opens at Jag Gallery

There are no rules as Duval Square’s Jag Gallery announces the opening of another season of distinctive exhibits with IN AND OUTSIDE THE LINES featuring new work from Key West’s Billy Kearins and Pennsylvania based artist Joey Tepedino.

The gallery welcomes Billy Kearins, this year’s Studios of Key West Mango Madness People's Choice Award Winner, for his Jag Gallery debut bringing decades of design expertise to a new level and medium with abstract paintings on wood, personal expressions, reflecting his continued experimentation of form and technique, more often visually organized in color and subject and with a common thread…a simple orange circle, sometimes incorporated with discretion sometimes bold and central.

Joey Tepedino, a proven gallery favorite from 2024 returns after a year of praise following exhibits in his native Pennsylvania and at the legendary Hal Bromm gallery in New York’s Tribeca.  Tepedino is a part time comic which is clearly evident in his mixed media paintings; loud, vibrant in color, somewhat unfiltered…Joey’s work might be best described as “contained chaos” often incorporating words or phrases as evocative and humorous as his titles.

IN AND OUTSIDE THE LINES opens with a gallery reception on Saturday October 4th from 5:30 -7:30 and continues through October 26th.  Gallery events are free and all are welcome.  For additional information contact the gallery at [email protected] or 305.407.6202. 

A top Key West destination offering carefully curated exhibits of fine, contemporary art showcasing work of prominent and award winning artists from Key West and beyond, Jag Gallery is located at 1075 Duval Street, Duval Square with ample, no fee parking through the Simonton Street entrance to the Square.  Follow us on Facebook/Meta and Instagram.

​KEY WEST, FL – The Monroe County Veterans Affairs (VA) Key West office has relocated from the Harvey Government Center to the Historic Gato Building, 1100 Simonton Street, Suite 1-190, in Key West. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
“This move is part of an ongoing effort to enhance accessibility and provide improved services to Monroe County’s Veteran community,” said Community Services Director Cathy Crane. “The new location will continue to deliver the same dedicated support and resources to Veterans and their families.”
 
The Upper Keys office at Murray Nelson Government Center location and hours remain the same. The Marathon satellite office at the Monroe County Public Library Marathon branch also continues every second Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
 
Appointments are recommended but not required. Call 305-295-5150 or 305-453-8777 to make an appointment. For more information, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/va. 

KEY WEST, Fla. – September 16, 2025 – At age 43, Michael Hales, MSN, RN, was a nursing leader in a Texas hospital, who didn't give much thought to his own healthcare. Like many men, and healthcare professionals, he didn't prioritize routine check ups because he had a busy life and he wasn't experiencing any symptoms that would warrant a visit to the doctor. When his facility was promoting a men's health screening, he decided to participate because he was involved with the initiative and wanted to set a positive example. To his surprise the screening—which involved a questionnaire, physical, bloodwork, and conversation with a provider—revealed a hormone deficiency and high blood pressure which he began treatment to address. 
 
This year, during a routine visit to his PCP – which he now prioritizes –  he was diagnosed with a thyroid disorder. Michael, who is Chief Nursing Officer at Lower Keys Medical Center said, "It made sense, my energy was down a little, it felt more difficult to complete physical tasks." 
 
Now Michael thinks differently about his own health and longevity, paying more attention to factors that impact his wellness like diet, stress, and exercise. "I'm looking for proactive ways to address my own health, not just taking medications to manage my conditions, but lifestyle changes that can reverse them and prevent future issues. My wife and I started changing our diets and engaging in cardiovascular activity. Those positive changes can impact other aspects of my health such as sleep apnea and stress management." 
 
Michael's goal now is to reverse and prevent healthcare conditions that can limit quality of life. He encourages other people who may not get regular check-ups to prioritize an annual wellness check, which may identify potential health issues before they become more serious. 
 
At 49 years old, Michael said he and his wife have started participating in 5K runs, like the recent event in honor of Jimmy Buffet, and the upcoming Fantasy Fest 5K and Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. "I feel much more motivated and have a better state of mind."
 
Lower Keys Medical Center is offering a free email series on longevity, called "Enjoy the Ride: Navigating a longer, healthier life" to provide helpful information on lifestyle changes that can allow community members to increase not just lifespan, but healthspan, living as long as one can in the best health possible. Sign up at https://www.lkmc.com/enjoy-the-ride?utm_campaign=enewsletter-sign-up&utm_source=hospital-website-global&utm_medium=banner 
 
About Lower Keys Medical Center
Lower Keys Medical Center is an acute care community hospital offering 24 hour emergency department services. Accreditations include The Joint Commission Acute Care Hospital Program and Primary Stroke Center, American College of Cardiology Chest Pain Center, the American College of Radiology – Mammography, and the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission - Echocardiography. The hospital is recognized by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with a 4 Star quality rating.