Fall Harvest '96

by Shannon Gale

Joyce and I met in St.Charles and proceeded to Cedar Rapids, IA, arriving mid-afternoon. After checking in we proceeded to the Gaslight Bar at the Sheraton Hotel. I was intent on finding a good HALLOWEEN PARTY for Thursday night which was infact Halloween.

After changing into our skirts we headed to the swimming pool are where the Pizza Party was being held and ate lots of Pizza. I was impressed at the number of girls attending on the first night fo Fall Harvest. We then decided to put on our 1 piece bathing suits and headed to the Hot tub which was nice and toasty at 102 defres. After changing into our costumes we met Chrissie and lovely Rita for a night at the "IN" place to go in Cedar Rapids.

Joyce and Rita wore vinyl and lace. I went as a HOOTERS GIRL and Chrissie went asd Chrissie went as CHRISSIE in a nice blouse and skirt. As we pulled on to the lot at DESOTA's, a police car went by, looked at us, smiled and gave us the Hi Sign.

Chrissie headed for the pool table while Rita, Joyce and I headed for the dance floor area. We found a nice railing where we could stand and check out the action. We entered the costume contest and Rita made the semifinals. After Desota's we headed back to the Sheraton where we partied until they closed the bar.

We woke and got ready in time for lunch. After brunch, took Joyce and I to the mall. WE dressed down wearing jeans and a turtleneck shirt with tennis shoes. With Macey in her male attire, we looked very creditable. I purchased film at OSCO, had ice cream at Baskins Robbins, and even purchased earrings at Clares. The high point was purchasing bras and panties at YONKERS Dept Store. What a thrill. I thought we passed well, but who knows, we had a great afternoon.

Friday night there was the Talent Show which Joyce and I both entered. The stage and lighting were great, but the sound was not loud enough to really "get into" your song. There was a permanent party in the adjoining room, we partied with many of the attendees at the Gaslight Bar.

After luuch on Saturday, Carmen and I sent to the mall with Jennifer , who served as our escort in her male attire. This time we did not dress to fir in. I wore my tan suede skirt with black heels. Guess what? Every teenager in Cedar Rapids was at the mall on Saturday afternoon, While Jen, in male attire, shopped for female jeans, I talked to several clerks and a couple of boyscame up to me to say "All Right." I guess Dennis Rodman and Rupaul have really helped with the cause in the eyes of the younger set. After returning to the Sheraton I shopped at Jim Bridges boutique and purchased some makeup.

At dinner, we all dressed up in our sequinned and beaded gowns. There was a wedding reception across the hall, and the girls at the reception were impressed at our gowns. Some of the wedding guests even watched the Miss Fall Harvest Pagent. Christine from Iowa won Miss Fall Harvest with Joyce (friend and member of the StLGF finishing 3rd out of 7 entrants.

After closing the Gaslight bar again, Scott talked Joyce and I inot getting our bthing suits on again and we proceeded to the pool & hot tub area. There ended up being 8 of us out there palying pool and volleyball until 4 A.M. What a super time we had in Cedar Rapids. St. Louis was well represented with about 20 participants. I want to thank Andrew for taking all of those wonderful pictures. Any of you who did not attend should take a look at the photo album and plan on attending next years even on November 6th-9th in Omaha NE.

Back to In Our Own Write Index,