In Key West, royalty isn’t inherited, it’s earned. And 4 royal hopefuls are vying to be topped the 2025 king and queen of Fantasy Fest by elevating essentially the most cash for the Florida Keys SPCA between now and the Royal Coronation on Oct. 17 on the Espresso Butler Amphitheater.
All through a six-week fundraising blitz, the candidates maintain every little thing from automotive washes to culinary adventures, physique portray events to bloody mary breakfasts.
Candidates schedule their very own occasions and band collectively at just a few all-candidate fundraisers to pool assets. The following all-candidate occasion will happen Wednesday, Oct. 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. on the Gardens Lodge, 526 Angela St.
Now, let’s meet the candidates — Cindy Bensen, Floyd Jenkins aka Pepa Mahogany, Mina Valdez and Joe Wooten.
Cindy Bensen comes from a household that raised labrador retrievers and boarded animals, which gave her super respect and love for all animals and their welfare at an early age..
Whereas residing in South Carolina, Bensen was identified affectionately because the “Turtle Girl” for rescuing native turtles in perilous conditions, with many saves to her credit score. As a Key West resident, she is an lively member of Save a Turtle, the place she walks the seashores at daybreak searching for new sea turtle nests. Bensen is an avid supporter of FKSPCA and is honored to be working for Fantasy Fest Queen 2025.
Floyd Jenkins aka Pepa Mahogany has lived in Key West since 2007. By day, he works as the manager administrative assistant to Key West police chief Sean Brandenburg.
However Jenkins’ influence solely begins at work. Because the founding father of Pepa’s Books for Tots, he has delivered free books to 1000’s of Keys youngsters.
He champions youth empowerment as a board member for Keys to Be the Change. Jenkins has cycled 165 miles for the SMART Trip, sashayed throughout the Actual Males Do Drag stage, and dazzled Aqua Idol audiences — all to boost cash for organizations like AH Monroe, Sister Season, MARC Home, Queer Keys, the Florida Keys SPCA and the Waterfront Playhouse. For Jenkins, working for King of Fantasy Fest isn’t a couple of title; it’s a celebration of every little thing he loves: lifting others up, creating laughter and championing causes that matter.
Mina Valdez was born and raised in Key West and continues to be proud to name the island her perpetually residence. Over time, Valdez has been dedicated to grassroots fundraisers, group cleanups, hurricane aid and native charities just like the Florida Keys SPCA. She’s at all times been extra snug working behind the scenes. Her motto has at all times been: “Do it for the trigger, not the applause.”
However this 12 months as she turns 40, Valdez determined to step exterior her consolation zone and run for Fantasy Fest Queen 2025.
Her marketing campaign theme, “Each Furry Tail Deserves a Glad Ending,” displays her love for animals and her dedication to the Florida Keys SPCA. She believes each paw print tells a narrative — and each pet deserves to reside in a secure, loving residence.
Joe Wooten got here to Key West by means of Texas and Illinois, however has known as the island residence for greater than a decade. Wooten enjoys spending his days along with his fiancée, Keenan, and their Siberian husky, Koda. His dedication to group has been a lifelong high quality. Wooten proudly served within the US Marine Corps for 10 years within the infantry, serving in Asia and the Center East, together with Iraq. As soon as settled in his new Key West residence, he attended Florida Keys Group Faculty, acquiring his certification and turning into a dive teacher. He then labored at Captain’s Nook Dive Heart for a few years.
Wooten’s ardour for animals and his Key West group made his entry into the marketing campaign a straightforward “sure.”