Cherry Grove launches 37th
Annual Invasion of The Pines with
reigning Homecoming
Queen Robin Kradles in the lead
by Denise Dell Harbin
Queen Robin Kradles flanked by her escorts Mark Nayden, Mr. FI
Leather 2012, and Collin Stone, a former Mr. FI Leather
photo Lorraine
Panzi in orange prepares to
lead the Invasion
Photo By Denise
Following the tradition of
invading the neighboring community of Fire Island Pines on the 4th
of July, a boat loaded to capacity, with cross dressing mandatory, set sail
from Cherry Grove about 2 PM on the national holiday and headed east. The Queen
carried forth the Arts Projects’ theme of “Around the World” and represented
Miss Universe, with an entourage of other “contestants” wearing sashes from
imaginary countries. The carefully outfitted entourage included the APCG
President Martha Pitkin; Aida Herring and her escort Shrimp (singer Jim Speake)
of Scandahoovia; Demi Tasse and her escort String (Dell Harbin, publisher of
The Violet Letter) from Asian mecca Tam-pon-ora, along with their love child
Paddy; past Queens YaNeeda Dunes and Beach DeBree; Donna Piranha and her
husband Roger Cortez of Polak; Sue Panzer and her partner Angela Smith joining
Wen-D Bouvier as Dumb, Dumber and Dumbest, among others.
Queen Robin was escorted by Mark
Nayden, Mr. Fire Island Leather 2012, and Collin Stone, Titan Entertainment
porn star, in a black leather kilt leaving little to the imagination. They were
later joined by Mr. Meatrack Candido Soares, wearing a newly made sash of moss
and branches resembling deer antlers. The entire entourage was announced and
then did a choreographed bow to both sides of the jam-packed Pines Harbor. Greeting these invaders in the Pines were Robin Byrd as well as
the Grove’s own Rose Levine. The Pines Judges awarded Queen Robin the “best
individual” award.
While there was some question
that Sip and Twirl, destroyed in last Fall’s fire in the Pines, would be open
for the usual merriment lubricated by the free drinks to Invaders, , Invasion
leader Panzi was able to distribute bracelet’s for admission and free drinks to
their Pool Party, which was announced by Shequida and Bianca del Rio and
Peppermint, as invaders strutted their stuff on a red carpet bridge over the
pool. There was barbecue offered by the Blue Whale, and all in all, a good time
was had by all! The entourage and invited guests trod across the dock and
followed the red carpet through the sand to get to the rear entrance to the
pool party. And no one minded!
A special salute was made the
firefighters who helped save the Pines from worse devastation last October.
They were led by Cherry Grove fire department Chief Jill Navarro and other
members of the Cherry Grove fire department.
More fun in the crowd from Gilbert
Baker, creator of the rainbow flag, as “Busty Ross” who was voted “Most
Political”; the ever-present Drag Repair team that rescued Mother from a
wardrobe malfunction and Titanic survivor, the Unsinkable Taffeta Brown.
The Invasion started 37 years
ago when a drag queen named Teri Warren was refused service in the Pines
because she was dressed in drag, and she then went back to the Grove and got
friends who then, en masse, invaded the Pines, and it has become a
friendly and fun tradition ever since. Panzi was one of those original
invaders, and has led the parade of invaders ever since. He gets help herding
the glittery drag queens from Aida Herring and a group of other close friends.
Sayville Ferry owner Ken Stein has cooperated with the invaders every year, and
for the first time in a long time, the fee for this special ferry ride was
raised to $15. But no one seemed to mind! In fact, with the boat sold out
before all who wanted to ride got a ticket, there is talk of a second boat next
year!
As a part of the entourage,
standing or sitting in the coveted top deck prow space, this reporter got the
best view and enjoyed the day immensely. Thanks, Queen Robin, for including me!
Long may you reign!
Photos by Dell Harbin
APCG President Martha Pitkin and entertainer Shequida;
Mr. Meatrack Candido Soares gives a kiss to Mr. Fire Island
Leather 2012 Mark Nayden;
Tamponora's entry DemiTasse and her escort Dell Harbin
INVASION ’12
Photo
journey by Jeannie
..Panzi herding the flock to the boat
R.G.
Joyce never misses a chance to dress up
Selling
the tickets – up $5 from last year – now $15
The
synchronized swimmers return?
Cute
CGAP Prez Martha
Ready!
Chief
photog Just Lorraine surveys her subjects
A
motley crew passes through the crowds to board
Obeying
Lorraine’s commands “Look Up”
The
elite Royal Entourage huddle in the cabin for shade – on a really hot day
Well,
it’s a costume
Let
me help you with your “hair”
Oops!
A photographer – Pose!
Donna
Pirhana can’t resist showing off
If
you’re going to pose dearie make sure everything is right
True
Friendship
ALSO
ON BOARD:
Look
– God and Miss Liberty together
Refreshments
were served
Not
very ladylike!
My
hair is holding up very well
Maybe
this is one Invasion too many
The
busy Drag Repair almost elude my camera (see right)
They
are: Dennis Noboa (director), Kevia Hughes, Patty Rosodo,
Wiliam
Andriance, Felix Girevia, Joey Corona, Joe Tevlizzi, Josip Bulivac, Samantha
Uigure & Andrea Duvalle – THANKS
Lucky
Passengers got quite a surprise
A
little sun block please
Quiet
composure
A
vision!
Listen
to me!!!
I
feel pretty!
Mary Lou Retton – oops a tear in my uniform
Charity
wearing Joan Rivers Jewels
China & friend –
timeless beauties
And
another
Some
outfits were skimpy – must be the heat
Mermaid
gets it together
cute
Yes,
Batman & Robin ARE gay
Tonia
Harding so anxious to get to the boys she’s ready to jump ship
It
can’t wait either
Balcony
seat
Let’s
hear it for our Fire Department
Imperial
Court Royals
The
Olympics!!!
Billie
Jean King
Nancy
Kerrigan & Tania Harding still feuding
Torvil
& Dean head the herd as Panzi prepares to lead them off
I
toot the horn on the ferry when we enter the harbor – they toot back – it’s my
moment of glory
HAIL
TO THE PINES
Panzi
in charge
The
Queen & her entourage photo by Lorraine
There
is someone under those feathers
Oh
yes there she is
Remember
those bathing beauties – now bowing to the judges – have they no shame
Get
ready
It’s
the Olympic Rings photo by Lorraine
This
Evita looks better than the one on Bway photo by Lorraine
Torvil
& Dean skating off
Harding
attacks Kerrigan
Mary
Lou cartwheels and sticks the landing
(their
other side is worse)
There
she is- Mermaid, hair & tail in place
IN
THE PINES
A
somber reminder of last Fall’s devastating fire
The
Boys in the Pines certainly know how to party
(Sip
n Twirl)
…and
the waiters!!!
Our
queens are prettier
GROVE
GALS STRUT THEIR StUFF in the PINES
Here’s
a beauty
THE
TRIP BACK:
Lorraine
& Robin relax a bit “So how’d it go?”
THE
END
Dockmaster
Paul: all Back to Normal…with pearls
A
smiling Captain Kenny Stein, all round nice guy
“I’ve
been doing this for 30 years. I never get tired of it, But I can only relax
when the ferry is safely docked in the harber and nothing stupid has happened
to any of theme or the boat”
…a
collective thank you from passengers present and past!!!
Off
duty at last – what a day!!!
