In the 49th annual Miss Fire Island contest, held at the Ice Palace/Grove Hotel on September 6, Brenda Dharling won the title of Miss Fire Island 2014, Jada Valenciaga took the Entertainer of the Year prize, and Whore D’Oeuvre was selected as Ms. Fire Island. Judges were Valerie Perez, Lillias Piro, Michael Plosky, former Miss Fire Island Yuhua Hamasaki, Eddie Fraser, and Kenny Holcomb, with Dennis McConkey serving as tally judge. Sal Piro was Executive Producer of the contest and Mistresses of Ceremonies were former Miss Fire Island Ariel Sinclair, given a special award celebrating her 20 years at the Ice Palace, presented by Sal; former Entertainer of the Year Porsche; and former Miss Fire Island Logan Hardcore-Edwards. Singer Brandon Cutrell saluted departing Miss Fire Island 2013 Roxy Brooks and new Miss Fire Island Brenda with Johnny Savoy’s “Ballad of Miss Fire Island.” DJs were Chuck McTague and Joe Mendez. The second and third Misses Fire Island, Charity and Rita George, were present and were honored.
Runners up to Brenda, who also took two titles in the Miss Grove Hotel 2014 contest, were Sir Honey Davenport, chosen to be Miss Cherry Grove, and China, 83 years young, named Miss Ice Palace. Roxy and Entertainer of the Year 2013 Zola crowned and sashed these winners. Runner up to Whore D’Oeuvre was Donna Piranha, named Ms. Cherry Grove, and Zola crowned Whore and Donna.
Jada won her title with two songs from “Fame,” singing “Out Here on My Own” and dancing to the film’s title song, backed by Jackie and Mary. Taking other prizes were Entertainer of the Year contenders Kendra Kinx, a Miss Fire Island virgin, given the Judges Award; Sugga Pie Koko, the Most Popular; Nikki Fierce, the Coors Light sponsor award; and former Miss Fire Island Dakota Sue, whose number was “Let It Go,” from “Frozen,” receiving the Absolut Vodka sponsor award. Others competing for Entertainer were Tiffany LeClerk, Lolita Golightly, Lindsay Blue, Lady Pricilla Lollypop, Delfina Best as Bette Midler, Bubblicious, Billy Little as Wanda Sykes, Lee Lee Heavenly, Julie doing “I’m a Believer,” Sheila Noxema, Dixie Normous with “Let’s Talk Dirty to the Animals,” and former Miss Fire Island Renée Flaming.
Additional Miss Fire Island contestants were Laydee Alessandra, Mahoganny, former Miss Stonewall Frostie Flakes, Daisy Deevine, former Entertainer of the Year Holly Dae, Victoria Falls, Kara Sucia, Gina Marie Versace, and former Miss Grove Hotel Stasha Storm. Additional Ms. Fire Island contestants were Taylor Rockland and Lady Ivanna.