Palm Springs Cocktail Challenge Winner Announced!

Mary Jo Ginther and Bella

As many of you know, this year, the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism created a unique promotion for the LGBT community: The Palm Springs Pool Party and Cocktail Challenge! It's been lots of fun (I got to host one of the preliminary events,  held at The Lobby Bar in Seattle) and it's a great way to promote our city to our community! 

Georgie

Last night the finals were held at Georgie's Alibi Palm Springs, and all I can say is that a great time was had by all (and especially by our judges who had to taste 21 - count 'em  21 cocktails and still come up with a winner (not to mention add up their scores!!!). I got bunches of photos - some I'll share here - and some you can see on my facebook page.

Bella da Ball, one of our local drag celebrities was the hostess and emcee. Bella (and her non-drag persona Brian) are actually incredible ambassadors for Palm Springs (in addition to being the host/hostess with the mostest!). Bella made sure everyone was happy and having a great time

Georgie and his staff, our hosts for the evening, created a great atmosphere, complete with kiddie pools for the dancers (wearing skimpy swim suits, and sometimes just barely wearing them). We were also joined by the local branch of the Human Rights Campaign, and the Desert Gay Tourism Guild (the organization with which I am very involved personally) as well as Dick Haskamp from Streetbar, who was one of our judges (and is just about the nicest guy you could ever hope to meet). Matt Link was another Judge. Matt, who used to be the Editor of OUT, writes for publications, gay and mainstream, all over the country. We're lucky to have him as a local resident! :)

We also got to host one of the contestants - Andy Santiago from Micky's in West Hollywood. Andy and his partner, Grant Landry came in just for the night. They were both really sweet, cute as buttons, and Andy was a great contestant (but then all the guys were). 

All in all, we had quite a diverse group of cities that were represented. Will Douglas, from Las Vegas, represented Charlie's, and definitely had the BEST SHIRT! :) He was a really nice guy. Jae Cho represented Sidetrack in Chicago, Dale Phillips represented BJ's NXS in Dallas (and went shirtless for the crowd - I gotta go there!), Jeff Willey, representing The Lobby Bar in Seattle (I must confess I was a little biased because I'd done the event there (and had such a great time with Curtis, Paul, Joshua and the ever so FAB  Glamazonia)! 

Also represented was San Diego's Bourbon Street (whose contestant, Sean Brunle won second place!!!), and of course Georgie's Alibi Fort Lauderdale, whose contestant, Scott Newell was the first place winner!!!