Thursday, October 29, 2009
Costumed animals, owners compete in Fla. Keys
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) -- Two African tortoises and their owners, dressed as members of the fictional "Addams Family," won a top prize in a pet masquerade in the Florida Keys.
The Wednesday night Fantasy Fest Pet Masquerade is part of a 10-day festival that continues with a series of events including a masquerade march beginning at the local cemetery and a parade set for Halloween night. It traditionally attracts more than 60,000 revelers. Fantasy Fest ends Sunday.
Tom and Jackie O'Neil of Marathon, Fla., are the tortoise owners.
Another pet owner, Jim Brooks of Ramrod Key, Fla., attached a pseudo weather balloon to his English bulldog, Brutus.
He said his inspiration was the runaway balloon case in Colorado.
Brooks said he originally envisioned Brutus actually floating beneath a balloon, but lifting the 65-pound dog necessitated too much helium.
"It was going to require a 21-foot-diameter weather balloon, and the National Weather Service wouldn't let me borrow one," he said.
Before about 1,500 spectators, the pet contest attracted some 80 entries featuring costumed dogs, cats, tropical birds and a bearded dragon on a toy motorcycle.
Fantasy Fest was conceived 30 years ago to bolster tourism flow during a slow period. Florida Keys tourism officials said it traditionally provides a $30 million economic impact.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
