Darlings of drag: Miss’d America Pageant in Atlantic City

Here he comes, Miss’d America, that other marquee event in Atlantic City — this one with drag queens.

By Erin Behan

There’s the Miss American Pageant and then there’s the Miss’d America Pageant. Amazing what a difference one letter makes — and in this context, one chromosome. The Miss’d Pageant, at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall Ballroom on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012 at 8 p.m. (tickets), is a spoof on the original, with drag queens in all their glittery glory competing for the crown, cash and prizes.

In this case, the Miss’d America Pageant proves that the copy is better. Swimsuit, evening gown,judges’ interview — it’s all here in full drag glory with dressed-to-the-nines contestants from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and other surrounding states. Expect laughs, tears and heart-felt moments that only pageantry can bring.

The evening stays lively and gay with host Carson Kressley (“Dancing with the Stars” and “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”), special guest star Martha Wash of The Weather Girls, a performance by Erika Schiff (“American Idol”) and the Melanie Rice Orchestra.

It’s not just the pageant, there’s a to-be-announced pre-party Friday night, a post party at Resorts Atlantic City on Saturday and a brunch and gay bingo on Sunday at the pool at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City. Other nearby hotels include Trump Plaza Casino and Hotel, Caesar’s Casino and Hotel and Best Western Envoy Inn.

The original Miss America Pageant was held in Atlantic City from 1921 to 2004 until it moved to Las Vegas, so it’s a fitting city for the parody pageant. Miss’d America was previously held in Atlantic City from 1994 to 2005 and picked up again last year.

Best of all, proceeds from the pageant are divided between the two groups that present the event, the Greater Atlantic City BLBT and the Schultz-Hill Scholarship Foundation. Those organizations then split the money among various charities. To date, $200,000 has been donated.

Related resources

• Atlantic City hotels
• Atlantic City vacations
• Cheap Atlantic City flights
• Gay Orbitz

Erin Behan is a freelance writer and editor out of Brooklyn, N.Y., who counts good food, intoxicating drink and adventurous travel among her favorite things.

Tagged: Hotels