WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — DC News Now joined thousands of racers Tuesday for the 37th annual High Heel Race in Northwest D.C.
The event, in which thousands of costumed attendees cheer on costumed drag kings and queens and community members as they race in their heels down 17th St., is hosted by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, celebrating the city’s LGBTQ+ community.
The tradition began more than 35 years ago as a “wager” amongst bartenders, drag queens and community members to race each other in heels to each of the LGBTQ+ bars along the street, according to the Executive Office of the Mayor.
The founders of JR’s Bar continued the festivities before Bowser proclaimed the race as an official mayorial event in 2018.
Take a look at some of the photos and videos DC News Now shot of the celebration:
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Preparations are underway for the annual High Heel Race. (Gabby Allen/DC News Now) -
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Manuel and Gabriella are gearing up for the High Heel Race. (Gabby Allen/DC News Now) -
Evening anchor Susan Tran catches up with Japer Bowles, director of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs. (Gabby Allen/DC News Now) -
DC News Now evening anchor Susan Tran gets to chit chat with mural artist Lisa Marie Thalhammer. (Gabby Allen/DC News Now)
This will also be the first year that there will be a $500 prize for the winner of the highly anticipated race.
Lots of preparations were made in anticipation of the race, including a mural artists painted in Dupont Circle to commemorate the history of the race.
Muralist Lisa Marie Thalhammer said the mural also represents how far the LGBTQ+ community has come in D.C.
“When people come to visit D.C., especially next year for WorldPride, we want them to feel that they are accepted here, that they are welcome here,” Thalhammer said. “We want them to feel a big hug of color.”
