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July 4th 2017-THE INVASION PATRIOTIC & POLITICAL



July 4th 2017-THE INVASION PATRIOTIC & POLITICAL

 

By Jeannie

Photos by Joyce Rogers and Anna Barantsavich


cid:X.MA2.1502388047@aol.com

The annual tradition  began in 1976 when a group of bored drag queens decided to go to the Pines for a celebratory drink July 4th and were denied entrance at John Whyte’s Blue Whale for violating the non drag dress code

Incensed they retuned in a slightly greater number: Thom “Panzi” Hansen, Lyn Hutton, and the late Amelia Migliaccio, who went to the Pines to avenge the slight. They were finally admitted.  The victory was dubbed “The Invasion (of the colony)” and Panzi was named “Queen of the Invasion” and has remained so ever since.

 

That intimate experience has since blossomed to an annual “invasion” of more than 350 plus drag queens sailing triumphantly into t he pines harbor where over 2000 await their entrance with pre-shows and great pomp and circumstance.

 

Yachts line the harbor in patriotic colors and toot their welcome in the past I was favored with the job of tooting the ferry horn announcing our arrival as the captain guided the vessel into the narrow port with the drag queens hanging over the edge waving and singing “God Bless America”.

 

It is a grand event. Creativity abounds in startling and beautiful ways.

 

This years theme was The Wall to the strains of “I Am an American” and event leader Panzi dressed as a Senorita in red, white, and green and a bevy of beauties bearing pumpkins and sporting the infamous orange hairdo, burst through a wall and  declared to the cheering crowd  “I never say anything political, but Fuck Trump!”. Adding to the gravitas was Statue of Liberty, who stripped down and replaced the Statues’ book with a sign reading, “Not My President.”

Leading the Invasion was HCQ Ginger Snap and entourage former Chas Donna Piranha, Beach DeBree, and YaNeeda Dunes, past Miss Fire Island Ariel Sinclair as Debbie Reynolds, Sue Kravitz as Andy Warhol, Imperial Court of New York Grand Duchess Victoria Falls, Mr. Fire Island Leather 2017 Sir Joseph, her escort and bearer of the mirror ball, and Parker Sargent

Among the favorites was the ubiquitous and indispensable Drag Repair group,

Ellen Biggers and Martha Pitkin as Siegfried and Roy, and an incredibly sexy bathing beauty

Who could that be??!

 

Viking Princess Matt Baney draped a sign “Chris, will you marry me? Matt.”  The answer was “Yes”.

It also was a day of remembrance for gay pride rainbow flag designer Gilbert Baker. The flag floats bravely on the Grove dock as a welcome and farewell...

 

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A lovefest for Ariadne: and important thank yous

 

From Ariadne C. Villarreal

Executive Producer

Dear 2017 Invasion Family:

WOW – 43rd year is done and dusted! Thank you all for being the village that makes this event successful.

 

PANZI – Breaking through the “WALL” today was genius! You are OUR voice. You and the Grove ladies are always welcome here! We applaud your tenacity and your wit. We love that you honor us with your tradition and allow us to celebrate the 4th with you.

 

Jay Pagano (and the board) -Thank you for trusting me to run this crazy event. It’s a beast – but your unwavering support is so helpful. The Pines shines brightly on this day.

 

PJ – what can I say but I adore you!!! You are my ally, my friend and a true collaborator in making this year a success. Thanks for everything not least: organizing a seamless security team, loaning us ladders to hang décor, loaning us the stool for Panzi, and donating $15 gift cards for each and every winner today off the boat. You personify COMMUNITY.

 

Nikki LaFountaine – once again your voice sailed through the sky and made us proud to be standing as one united family.

 

Alyssa Edwards (and Brandon Voss) for blessing us with your time to get our shindig started. You engaged folks and got them excited and primed for our lovely visitors from the Grove. Bless you and your style. We hope you’ll join us again in 2018.

 

Randy Wilson – thanks for handling the press and the VIP’s and for lending a helping hand, foot, toe, eye and smile!! Your partnership is infectious!

 

Our Harbor Family - Dennis Murphy, Dennis (Dad) Murphy, Jimmy, Chris and our newbie Adam – This year the team went above and beyond. Dennis, your leadership is always welcome. Appreciate all the help from moving the carpets from Whyte Hall (helping us lay them this year too), cleaning up the harbor pre and post the event - protecting all our new plantings, securing the electrical platform…and the car! Everyone appreciates all that you do – and none more than I. We are so lucky to have you in our fold. Thank you!!!

 

Ken Stein and the Sayville Ferry Crew – You are such an integral part of the day. Each and every crew member was on their mark today. Stellar Teamwork! Appreciate it every year – thanks for making the passage of our precious cargo safe from the Grove and for ferrying our many many many day trippers back and forth.

 

Jim Vandernoth for helping lay out our red carpet, and rallying the boats to get on the bandwagon. Prizes once again were great: Tickets to Pines Party (thank you FIPPOA) and wine from the liquor store (Thank you Steve and Chris!).

 

George Marchelos - you are my Greek partner in crime. Your smile and demeanor make the day so much brighter. We truly couldn’t do this without you. *** and your music selection as the Queens disembark is legendary.

 

Gil Neary / Hal Hayes– Once again….judged the SH(*)&T out of those girls today! Love the new additional categories like Most Chic, Most Lost…and of course my favorite: Least Effort.

 

Anthony Taccetta, Will Sherer (he came back again after being an Invasion virgin last year – staying with his wife at Jerry Mitchell’s - I think we have him hooked!) And two new Invasion virgins – Sara Barg a lovely colleague visiting from Chicago who helped divvy out the sashes to our winners and Gary Oliver – who got roped in by default. AND Always to my lovely husband Juan and Nephew “Nacho” for spearheading our décor efforts.

 

HI All

Thanks Ariadne and all who helped make to day so amazing. I echo all the thank you’s below. PJ the gift cards were a big hit and the Pool Show was better than ever, Hal and I were happy to see the one person we really wanted to give an award to but did not have a category left for her won first place at he pool show.

Great work all and thank you,

Gil Neary

 

Ariadne,
You are the Rockstar!!!

Thank you for everything you do.
It takes a village!
George...once again the music was great and my flag family Brad and Glenn joined in with me to entertain all while they waited for the pre-show.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ to Pansi...I love you.
Everyone else...until next year...see you when I see you.
Robin Byrd

 

Luis Villabon – the two performance numbers today were wonderful. It added a whole new level of talent and class. I hope you’ll join us again next year.

 

Robin Byrd – Flag Away!!! Your essence and spirit are essential to the success of this event!

 

Thank you to Greg (Julio) and Chris Lovito – for keeping our aisleways clear and safe.

 

Ken Pollard – thanks for getting all our pre-production elements in line.

 

Kim and the team at the Pines Pantry – THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU – water, ice, lunch and more. Without you we’d have been dehydrated prunes by the end.

 

An amazing team effort!! Enjoy the rest of the summer – can’t wait to run into all of you on the boardwalk to thank you in person and if we don’t…. see you next year!!!

 

Ariadne