Behind the Spectacle: The making of a Fantasy Fest parade float

Key West Fantasy Fest 2026, with its “Musical Icons and Iconic Musicals” theme, kicks off October 16, but for Deep Eddy Vodka Fantasy Fest Parade float-building groups like the one organized by Mina Valdez, Zach Matusicky, Jessie Matusicky, Kit Carson Smith, Valerie Smith, and Tim Lorber, the experience starts weeks and even months earlier. From the first light-bulbs of inspiration to the final flourishes, creating a Fantasy Fest parade float is part construction project, part creative collaboration, and part wild adventure. Members of their team recently shared insights into their vision and progress:
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Will you share what you're cooking up for 2026? 
Yes! We are creating “OzFest Key West: The Emerald Tour.” It's a mash-up. Think “Wizard of Oz” infused with “Blizzard of Ozz.” We lost Ozzy Osbourne this year, so we wanted to honor him as well as throw in some Key West flair.

Have you participated in the Fantasy Fest Parade or any other Fantasy Fest events in the past? 
Pretty much everyone here today has participated in some way in the past. Some of us have helped build floats and/or marched with groups, Mina was Duchess of Fantasy Fest 2025, and Kit owns Angelina’s Pizza on Duval Street, a traditional Fantasy Fest refueling oasis. But we all wanted to do something together, so this year is the first time for us as a group.

How many team members do you expect this year? 
We have 10 people who will be onboard our float and we're expecting about 20 to 40 for our walking crowd. In fact, we are presently recruiting Lollipop Guild Munchkins and flying monkeys. Interested characters can contact Mina at [email protected].

What did you learn from past parade experiences?
Plan. Be organized. Work as a team. Have enough juice in the generator. Bring lots of beads and don't get too drunk.

Do you have a favorite feature on your float?
Valerie: Our tornado is looking pretty sick right now, and it's not done. 
Kit: I like my big-ass chair. 
Zach: I’m conceptualizing an Emerald City.
Jessie: I’m excited to see how in the world we’re going to make it look like I’m floating in a bubble.
Mina: And I get to ride on top of a castle this year so that's going to be great. 

Do you have a plan of attack or do you lean more towards spontaneity?
We are organized, but there's also a lot of spontaneity. A lot of it has just been somebody bringing up an idea and then everybody giving their opinion on it. If it works, we kind of build on that, and if it doesn't, then we move on to the next idea. There’s some singing involved, and dancing, so there'll be rehearsals, marks to hit, and we'll have to know where to hit the marks in real time during the parade.

When did your group start getting ready for the parade?
We had our first meeting one month after Fantasy Fest last year!
What kind of music are you playing?
Rock and roll! 

Any budgeting wisdom to share? Do you have a sponsor?
We are being sponsored by Kit’s podcast, “Sit With Kit,” so we’re super excited about that. And we’re all contributing to the cost, but when it comes to an actual budget, it’s been kind of buy what you need as we go and then figure it out at the end. 

Do you have any advice for anyone thinking about entering the parade? 
Just do it. Especially if you're a local, be a part of the parade. You're never going to regret it. 
Key West Fantasy Fest 2026 is 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.