The 36th annual High Heel Race was held on 17th Street at Frank Kameny Way on Tuesday, Oct. 24. Thousands of spectators came to watch drag queens and other costumed contestants strut in a parade and run in a race. Rayceen Pendarvis served as the emcee and Karamo Brown was a special guest on the stage. Participant John Kim won the race for the third time.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, as she has for the high heel race in past years during her administration, greeted the crowd from a stage set up at 17^th and R Streets before giving the official signal to start the race. She noted that this was the 36^th year that the high heel race has been held in the Dupont Circle neighborhood and said it highlighted her view that D.C. is the nation’s “gayest” city.

The mayor was joined on stage by four members of the D.C. Council, who also welcomed the crowd with brief remarks. Among them were Council Chair Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large), and Council members Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2), Matthew Frumin (D-Ward 3), and Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5). Parker is the Council’s only gay member.

Also joining the mayor on stage was Japer Bowles, director of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, and Acting D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith, who Bowser nominated to become chief earlier this year while naming her acting chief.

“This has been an amazing event,” Smith told the Washington Blade at the conclusion of the race. “This is my first year, and it is phenomenal, it’s unique and as the mayor said, we are the gayest city in the United States and I’m proud to be here to celebrate with my friends.”

Lou Chibbaro, Jr. contributed to this report.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Covering the High Heel Race for @WashBlade . @shiqueeta performing. #drag #HighHeelRace pic.twitter.com/K9aXfdq3Az

— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) October 24, 2023

Annual High Heel Race draws thousands of spectators. Covering for @WashBlade : pic.twitter.com/TdjAJ2VsFW

— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) October 25, 2023