WASHINGTON — A D.C. tradition is returning this year on Tuesday for the annual 17th Street High Heel Race.
Thousands of people are expected to show up and cheer on drag queens as they dash down the street and show off their extravagant costumes.
The event, which takes place in the DuPont Circle neighborhood, was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. It is one of the city’s most unique traditions, and its return serves as a sign that things are slowly returning to normal.
The High Heel Race started back in the 1980s when some men decided to race down the street in heels and drag. The event stuck and became a yearly thing that happens on the Tuesday before Halloween.
It is now a major event run by the mayor’s office that attracts thousands of spectators. There will be a parade, deals at bars and restaurants, and other entertainment.
The event coincides with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) History Month, which celebrates the contributions of LGBT people throughout history.
If you plan on attending the event or traveling through the area, there are some parking restrictions and road closures to be aware of.
The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.:
- 17th Street from New Hampshire Avenue to O Street, NW
- P Street between 16th Street and 18th Street, NW
- S Street between New Hampshire Avenue and 17th Street, NW
The following streets will be closed for public safety to vehicle traffic from Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021 from approximately 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.:
· 17th Street from New Hampshire Avenue to O Street, NW
· P Street from 16th Street to 18th Street, NW
· Q Street from 16th Street to 18th Street, NW
· R Street from 16th Street to 18th Street, NW
· Corcoran Street from 16th Street to 18th Street, NW
· Church Street from 16th Street to 18th Street, NW
· Riggs Place from 17th Street to 18th Street, NW
The parade will start at 6:30 p.m., and the high-heel race will kick off at 9 p.m. on 17th Street between P and R Streets.