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| Grove Queen Lola, Escorted by Mr. FI Leather Diego, Leads Joyous Pines Invasion in Memory of Violet Silver |
by Bruce-Michael Gelbert
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| Photo by Bruce-Michael Gelbert |
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Lovely Cherry Grove Homecoming Queen 2007 Lola Galore, her handsome escort Mr. Fire Island Leather 2007 Diego Vargas, and the rest of her entourage, direct from the Palace at Versailles, led an ebullient 32nd annual Independence Day Invasion of the Pines, coordinated by Invasion founder Panzi. The Invasion commemorates an occasion in 1976 when late Fire Island Pines entrepreneur John Whyte refused to serve a potential customer who arrived at his establishment in drag. When she returned with friends, they were not turned away. Victory was declared and is celebrated to this day by hundreds of cross-dressing invaders. This year's event honored the memory of beloved Grovite Violet Silver, who passed away during Memorial Day Weekend.
... visit the gallery by Bruce-Michael Gelbert
Queen Lola's entourage included, beside Diego, her spouse James; last year's Homecoming Queen Coco Love and her mate Margo; Cobra; Urban Sprawl; and Jack, many of them sporting elaborate pompadours and costumes that alluded to the heyday of the French Royal Court. Malibu Tropical Banana Rum sponsored the ferry that transported the Invaders to and from the Pines and Malibu "banana boys," in little banana skirts, attended Panzi, who wore purple in tribute to Violet, and her chief assistants, Anne Tique and Demi-Tasse, who were garbed as Follies girls, sporting towering feathers.
Singer Porsche came as Anna Nicole Smith. Ariel Sinclair came as Britney Spears in rehab, complete with shaved head. Sybil Bruncheon was Miss Cherry Grove 1938, the year of the hurricane that devastated much of Fire Island. Porn's Will Clark was announced as Lorraina Terror, and Donnie Russo and photographer Steve Menendez came as gilded figures out of antiquity. Hyperactive Ann Phetamine came off the ferry in the Pines doing cartwheels. Miss Drag Attack Uma Assburns, Miss Grove Hotel Renée Ryan, and other titleholders, including Aurora Stone, Gina Marie, and Gassy Winds (now Miss Pridefest, Key West), were present.
Reigning New York Emperor Craig Hollywood came as King Henry VIII, attended by his Beefeaters, including Mr. FI Leather 2006 Master Tom. Empress Dowager Gefil Tefish's costume suggested a steamship and Robin Kradles was a fairy.
Notable pairs included singers Veda Beaux Reeves and Davina Devine, visiting from Dublin, Ireland for their first Invasion, and entertainers Juicy and Chicklet. Joyce Rodgers, accompanied by Yorkshire terrier Sybil, came as Paris Hilton in prison costume. It was Sybil's first Invasion as well. Tillie Mount-Slutten and Lady Gardener escorted each other.
Rose Levine, escorted by Michael Fitzgerald; recent past Homecoming Queens Donna Piranha, Charity and China; and the fabulous Bella were in attendance. Drag Repair and the stewardesses of Cherry Grove Airlines were there. A group identified itself as the Rutgers basketball team.
Statuesque Carmen Miranda figure, now a fixture at Invasion, identified herself this year as Tropical Carmen. There was a violence-prone Naomi Campbell. The New York City Gay Men's Chorus Butch escorted the Chorus Queen. Tony Bondi was there and, in red, white and blue, Pat Riotic. The Freedner twins, who had helped sell ferry tickets, and Ursala Major, as an adorable plus-sized little girl, were there. And of course Mother was there. Matt and Norm, Denise, Sherri as 'Harry,' and this writer and leatherman assisted Panzi with security.
Robyn Bird and the other people of the Pines received the Invaders rapturously and the Invasion could, once again, be counted a success.
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