Fire Island drag legend Panzi—who led the original 1976 Invasion of the Pines—returned on Friday, July 4th to host the 50th anniversary Invasion. As drag queens from Cherry Grove disembarked, Panzi introduced each one from the harbor stage. Some of the highlights included a synchronized group of M3gans, a trio of Little Edies, and a bustle of busted queens featuring RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Alaska, Jan Sport, and Scarlet Envy alongside the real Cherry Grove icon herself, Busted.
The annual event started when a drag queen from Cherry Grove was denied service at The Blue Whale in the Pines, sparking a fierce and fabulous act of resistance. Led by Panzi, a boatload of queens sailed into the Pines harbor, in full glam, demanding visibility and acceptance. That queer protest became a Fire Island July 4th tradition, equal parts spectacle, satire, and celebration of freedom, drag, and unapologetic self-expression.
Ahead of the arrival of the drag flotilla, the Pines ferry dock played host to a vibrant, high-energy pre-show with dance production led by choreographer Louis Villabon and a sensational live set by dance pop king Boy Radio, who also appeared in several playfully crunchy drag looks.
The Invasion and preshow were presented in partnership with Tryst Hospitality and the Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association (FIPPOA). Tradition met with the future of the Pines as Tryst Hospitality threw a celebration across The Waterfront at The Pines including The Pavilion, The Blue Whale, The Canteen, and The Tryst Pool Deck, honoring the history of the Invasion while teasing what’s next with the upcoming The Tryst Fire Island hotel.
As part of the celebration, Tristan flew in drag stars from his Tryst Hospitality properties around the world, including Mayhem Miller from The Abbey in West Hollywood, Misty Violet from The Chapel at The Abbey, Alyssa Hunter from The Tryst San Juan, Amalara Sofia and Pelayo from The Tryst Puerto Vallarta, and Pixie Aventura from Fire Island’s own The Pavilion and The Blue Whale.
“The Invasion of the Pines started as a protest, drag queens sailing in to crash the party. Almost 50 years later, it’s the most fabulous Fourth of July celebration anywhere. Rooted in our constitutional right to self-expression, it’s a floating fashion show, a dockside dance floor, and the most fun you can legally have on a holiday”, commented Tristan Schukraft, CEO of Tryst Hospitality ands Mistr.
The celebration wrapped with a post-Invasion pool party at The Tryst Pool Deck, headlined by Violet Chachki, and rolled right into Low Tea, High Tea, fireworks, and a full-on late-night takeover across the Waterfront. Discover more about Tryst at trysthotels.com and follow @trysthotels and @thepinesfireisland.
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