Rain Does Not Stop Annual High Heels Race

The rain did not prevent thousands from coming out Tuesday night and celebrating the 24^th annual High Heels Race. While the crowd was smaller than last year’s, it was still a fun and vibrant atmosphere. People lined up early to secure a good spot and the drag queens were strutting along, between 17^th Street between Church and R streets up until the 9:00 p.m. start of the race. The drag queens often stopped to take photographs and speak with spectators.

[caption id="attachment_3235" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Galinda from the Broadway Musical Wicked"][/caption]

There was a very diverse array of costumes this year. Many of the costumes were inspired by celebrities: Madonna, Michael Jackson, Rachel Maddow, Octomom, and Lady Gaga. Several of the drag queens were traditional by dressing as fairytale or Disney characters. Some of the more creative costumes included Cash for Clunkers and alcoholic beverages. The flashiest and largest costumes were of actual Broadway musicals, Cats, Annie, and Wicked. These ladies not only dressed as characters from each musical, but had personal billboards that towered over their bodies. Someone dressed up as Ben’s Chili Bowl caught the attention of many due to the recent death of its founder, Ben Ali. One thing is for sure, none of the participants were afraid to show some leg.

Politicians also joined the parade like D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty. The openly gay, Clark Ray, who is running for D.C. Council At-Large, walked the parade route. Current At-Large D.C. Councilmember, David Catania, was handing out stickers that support his legislation for civil marriage rights to gays and lesbians in Washington D.C.

[caption id="attachment_3236" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Cash for Clunkers took the time to pose with GW students"][/caption]

Shortly after 9:00 p.m., as the rain began to come down harder, the race began. Many of the drag queens still ran in their high heels even though the street was very slippery. Rachel Maddow was the only to slip and fall during the race, but she got right back up and continued the race. Unless one is standing at the finish line it is unclear who actually won the race, it is believed the winner receives a bar tab at JR’s DC Bar and Grill.