Drag Bingo returns this year to the Mess Hall in Fort Thomas’ Tower Park on Friday, June 9, starting at 6 p.m.
The event, open to adults 21+, is a fundraiser for Northern Kentucky Inclusive Students in Education, also known as NISE, a nonprofit educational initiative for high school age students across the region.
NISE specializes in bringing young people together to explore issues of diversity, equity and inclusion, and supports college and career readiness education. The group began in Northern Kentucky but also is open to students from Ohio and Indiana.
This will be the second year for the event. This year’s proceeds are part of a capital campaign by NISE to raise funds to secure an office and meeting place.
The 2022 event drew controversy because it was canceled at the last minute after city officials said the entertainment event didn’t fall under the health and wellness category under which it was registered. The event ended up happening as a “private event.”
Featured performers include Molly Mormen and PH Dee along with emcee Phillis Stein (aka Ron Padgett). A local realtor and performer, Padgett served as emcee for last year’s event.
“Recent events — both locally and nationally — show it is imperative to support organizations like NISE, whose mission is ‘to engage and develop learners as empathic and critical thinkers who collaborate and lead in a global community,’” Padgett noted.
NISE is also holding a silent auction online leading up to the event. For info on tickets to the event and the auction go to the NISE Facebook page. For more on NISE go to nisenky.org.