On Tuesday night, Jan. 17, in preparation for Atlantic City’s big gay-themed weekend, with a series of events planned by Caesars Entertainment, as well as Resorts Casino Hotel, in relation to Saturday night’s Miss’d America Pageant, a ‘drag’ race was held inside Harrah’s Resort.

The drag queens drew a large crowd outside The Pool at Harrah’s to watch the race participants — dressed up as women — compete for prizes.  (See photos below!)

Six male contestants strapped on their stilettos and see if they’re coordinated enough to cross the finish line and the winner, John Ventura, of Vineland, (aka Stasia), received a two night stay at Harrah’s Resort, a $100 food and beverage credit, tickets to Out in AC Weekend, and a “romantic limo ride” with champagne. The other five non-winning participants each received a one-night stay at Harrah’s Resort and tickets to Out in AC Weekend.

Five of the contestants were selected by the radio station SoJO 104.9,

This ‘Drag Race’ is a precursor to Caesars Entertainment’s 4th annual Out in AC weekend which begins on Saturday, January 21st  at The Pool at Harrah’s Resort with the Miss’d America Loft Party, from 2pm-6pm and continues Sunday, January 22nd with Out of Control Brunch and Bingo from 11am-3pm at the Harrah’s Ballroom.

See this Thursday’s issue of Atlantic City Weekly for details on the Miss’d America Pageant and the related events in Atlantic City.

The Greater Atlantic City GLBT Alliance (acglbt.org.) and Schultz-Hill Scholarship Foundation recently announced the 14 contestants competing in this year’s Miss’d America Pageant, being held again inside Boardwalk Hall’s big ballroom on Saturday, Jan. 21, starting at 8pm.

So, without further adieu, the contestants are:

Gusty Winds (Daniel Alita) –  a New York City resident who has performed as Gusty for more than 16 years.

Sabel Scities (Timothy Byars) –currently from Sunnyside, New York, Sabel has traveled across the United States and held the title of Miss Fire Island in 2010.

Epiphany Get Paid (David Calen) – a New Yorker from California who has worked all over the country and travels to Europe to perform each year.

Jason CoZmo (Jason Cozmo) – originally from Salt Lake City, Jason was privileged to work with Liza Minneli in the Off Broadway production of “My Big Gay Italian Wedding.”

Navaya Shay (Thom Gait) – a Philadelphian who can currently be seen performing shows for Philadelphia’s OutFest and as a Dollstar at Voyeur Night Club.

Juliza Alezae (Alejandro Giordano) – from Wharton, New Jersey, Juliza is a full time beautician and makeup artist and has competed in many pageants.

Brenda Dharling (Brandon Glasgow) – currently from New York City, Brenda was a principle dancer for Philadanco and has performed in numerous shows and competitions.

Bootsie LeFaris (Justin Keller) – this southern belle from South Carolina is a drag queen who has been trained as a dancer and musical theater performer.

Chantel Reshae (Robert Martin) – born in Ames, Iowa, this entertainer has been the show choreographer for the Parliament House in Orlando, FL for over 10 years.

Victoria “Porkchop” Parker (Victor Parker) – born in Anderson, SC, Victoria has traveled the country and entertained in over 40 states, including TV appearances and over 100 pageants.

Lady Marisa (Anthony Sabato) – is an IT engineer working for a data communications company in her home state of New Jersey when not impersonating celebrities.

Tasha Salad (Scott David Sims) – this marketing director is a southern fried Kentucky diva who is winning the hearts of audiences everywhere.

Logan Hardcore (Logan Slaughter) – Logan is a New Yorker who enjoys dancing and does drag full time and enjoys going to different cities to perform.

Shi-Queeta-Lee (Jerry VanHook) – from Washington, DC, is a veteran actor with credits including the films Ca$h Money and XXX-2, as well as TV shows such as HBO’S The Wire.

Click here for photos from the 2011 pageant.

The judges for the 2012 pageant include Mark Segal, publisher of the Philadelphia Gay News; Ryan Nickulas, TV personality, The A-List New York; TJ Kelly, TV personality, The A-List New York; Annika Bruggeworth, equestrian, former Playboy Bunny, owner of Premier Show Horse; Jeffrey Wilson of  Esquire; Michael Musto of the Village Voice; Hedda Lettuce, stage and movie personality; Bianca Del Rio celebrity drag personality; Diane Mitchell, from the Mike & Diane Morning Show on 95.1WAYV FM.

Carson Kressley

Hosting again this year is Carson Kressley (pictured), along with featured performer Martha Wash (”It’s Raining Men”) of The Weather Girls, and a performance by Erika Schiff .

Mark Dahl, manager of LGBT nightlife for Resorts Atlantic City, is this year’s writer and director and Miss’d America 2011 Kitty Hiccups (David Hyland) will be on hand for portions of the pageant.

The 2012 pageant coincides with Caesars Entertainment’s big OUT in AC weekend and related events at Resorts. Click here or here for details.

Tickets for the Miss’d America Pageant are $125, $100, $65 and $35.

Click here for more information.

Click here for video from the 2011 Miss’d America Pageant.

Click here for last year’s AC Weekly cover story.