Q-Mitch is the award-winning Key West celebrity host of the raunchy drag bingo at 22&Co. that benefits a non-profit cause each week.
The OutSFL 2024 Best Activist is also a veteran of Fantasy Fest. The annual celebration boasts a week of costumed revelry and parades. Naturally, Q-Mitch is no stranger to pageantry or parties with his imaginative outfits and hosted events. Ahead of this year’s “90s Neon Cosmic Carnival,” Q-Mitch provided his dos and don'ts for an inclusive and wild romp through two of the fest’s biggest events.
Fantasy Fest Parade
DO: When it comes to this heavily spectated signature parade (Oct. 26) that sees floats, walking groups, and even decked out tricycles, captivate Duval, Q-Mitch encourages participants lucky and bold enough to find themselves in the procession to not just “pick the party,” but rather “pick the creativity” when deciding on a group — which typically happens weeks before.
DON’T: Applicable to the festival at large, Q-Mitch reminded individuals to not get partied out before the week’s big sendoff. Pace yourself. Further, while the parade can feel like a fast experience, the wait till the procession’s kickoff can take some time. In this case, he urged everyone to locate and use facilities prior to launch because there are no pit stops once everything gets moving in front of thousands of onlookers.
The Masquerade March
DO: Q-Mitch also serves as a grand marshal of sorts at the Masquerade March or Locals Parade (Oct. 25), which despite its name is open to everyone, and features walking ensembles that originate and conclude all within historic Old Town. The costume-by-costume commentator reiterated that this is one of the best opportunities to showcase your DIY and costuming skills. Anything zany or colorful goes. In his eyes, store bought outfits are a real miss, as even the least refined of amateur designers can still pack a punch with humor and technical misfires.
DON’T: He repeated his point against outsourcing costumes for this walking parade that takes walkers through historic gay guesthouses and institutions. Q-Mitch believes that even the smallest of technical wizards can get “creative as hell,” especially within larger groups. Groups that he believes demonstrate, via collective partying and collaboration, that we are all capable of creating a sense of community. So don’t feel isolated in such a populous affair. Find a group, make friends, and tag along for this unserious but seriously creative march towards downtown Key West.
The event runs from Oct. 18-27. Find out more at FantasyFest.com.
