The 39th annual Cherry Grove Invasion of Fire Island Pines was scheduled for July 4, as is usual, but Hurricane Arthur forced a one-day postponement, and Grovites invaded instead on a sunny July 5 to commemorate the time, in 1976, that John Whyte refused to serve Teri Warren, in drag, at his restaurant in the Pines. When a dozen Grove men and women in drag showed up there, they were not, however, turned away, so they declared victory and a tradition began. Original Invader and Grove Homecoming 1976 and 1977 Queen Thom “Panzi” Hansen once more coordinated the proceedings and leading the Invasion joyously was reigning Grove Homecoming Whore D’Oeuvre, who had but one word of instruction for her subjects—“Red!”—who willingly complied.
Whore D’Oeuvre’s entourage boasted amazing star power, as it included singers Porsche, Lavinia Draper, Sonny Shores, Matthew George, Renée Flaming, Kenny Holcomb—or his sister—and Dakota Sue, as well as Last Comic Standing Yamaneika Saunders, additional performers Logan Hardcore, Gusty and Gassy Winds, and Donna Piranha, and Mr. Fire Island Leather 2014 Victor Skolnik, Mary Ooofaaa, and Joyce Rodgers, all wearing the requisite red.
Also eye-catching on Invasion Day were the rugged Sons of Menopause, Sue Panzer and Angela Smith’s contingent; the croquet mallet-bearing Heathers; the tragic Grove Geishas; the comely men of Drag Repair; La Tormenta and company, sporting elaborate feathery creations; and Demi-Tasse as the Queen of the Nile in a metallic headdress. We cheered Invasion veterans China, Charity, Bella, and Mathilde, who came as the Ghost of Leona Helmsley, accompanied by her spouse as the Ghost of Tammy Faye Bakker, and Invasion virgin Twinkle Montgomery, reigning Empress of New York, and other members of the Imperial Court. The Pines’ Robin Byrd was among those recording the event and welcoming us to the community to the east.