The Clomp, Clomp, Clomp of Heels on Pavement
RE: 17th Street Drag Race: Whoa! Excuse my ignorance, am new to the area. How is a drag race allowed in the nation's Capital? I got busted when I tried this on an unfinished section of I-64 about a thousand years ago..... -- Got Plans? reader, Oct. 18, 2007
Contrary to what a recent Got Plans? reader might have thought, the annual "drag race" has nothing to do with hot cars and fast engines. It's all about the divas. Tonight, at approximately 9:06 p.m., some fabulously dressed contestant will cross the finish line of the Dupont Circle High Heel Race -- claiming victory in what is easily the city's best Halloween tradition. The participants walk, trot and outright sprint down 17th Street in feather boas, four-inch heels and a ton of body glitter.
Crowds begin gathering on 17th Street as early at 6 p.m. to stake out spots. Three hours of standing out in the cold tonight sounds less than appealing, but it's worth showing up at least an hour and half before race time to watch the participants strut their stuff on 17th Street, turning the race course into a pavement-covered catwalk. After all, the creative costumes are far more important than the actual race itself.
Wanna whet your appetite for tonight's festivities? Check out this video our own Akira Hakuta shot at last year's race.
-- Julia
By Julia Beizer |
October 30, 2007; 11:13 AM ET
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Posted by: Stef | October 30, 2007 4:32 PM
It USED to be DC's best Halloween event until all the people from outside the neighborhood showed up and turned it into another Georgetown.
Back in the day, it was actually on Halloween and most of the people in the street were in costume. Ever since it was moved to the Tuesday night before Halloween it hasnt been quite the same.
But I'll be going anyway.
Posted by: Meridian | October 30, 2007 5:28 PM
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God, I miss living in DC.