Photo from Amysrobot.com
If what you’re doing tonight doesn’t involve watching 100 men in high heels sprint down 17th Street to kick off D.C. Halloween celebrations, then you should probably change your plans.
The annual High Heel Race (motto: Crossing the line since 1986) will run again tonight starting at DuPont Circle and ending a few blocks down 17th Street. This will be the 27th running of the race, which celebrates the season as well as the neighborhood’s many gay and lesbian residents.
While the event started as a small neighborhood get-together, it’s turned into a major event with over 100 participants and thousands of spectators showing up and showing off, according to the Washington Post.
From angels and devils to dancers and divas, the costumes are flashy and gaudy at their best. This is definitely an event that doesn’t take itself too seriously and neither should you if you decide go to watch.
The race doesn’t start until 9:00 p.m., but people start lining the streets as early as 6:00 p.m. to check out the fabulous attire and secure a good spot on the race route. The street festival vibe after the race lasts as late as midnight with spectators and drag queens hitting the bars together afterwards.
Several of the bars and restaurants in DuPont Circle are known to offer informal and impromptu specials celebrating the run — including rainbow drinks and Halloween treats. Try going to a LGBT friendly bar for a different experience or test out the drinks and snacks at one of DuPont Circle’s standbys — Hank’s Oyster Bar. Either way, make sure to carry the party with you for the rest of the night.
To watch the race, or even run as a queen yourself, take the 104 metro bus from The Stamp Student Union to the College Park metro station and board a Green Line train toward Branch Avenue. Transfer to the Red Line toward Shady Grove at Gallery Place/Chinatown and get off at DuPont Circle. The one-way trip should take about 35 minutes and cost around $4.10 at peak fare, which is when you’re most likely to be traveling.
