Drag is a performance that seeks to exaggerate gender expression, whether feminine, masculine, a combination of both or other forms of gender expression. This is typically for entertainment purposes. 

Every year on Halloween night, The Gender and Sexuality Resource Center hosts a spooky-themed drag show in the ballroom at Fort Lewis College. This is one of their most attended events of the year, according to assistant director, Al Wolfe. 

This event seeks to provide students with something to do on Halloween night without having to leave campus, while providing a safe space for the queer community and allies, Wolfe said.  

The safety and protection of students is a big priority, with this year's attendees being required to present their FLC identification, Wolfe said.  

The 2025 Halloween drag show had a total of 177 attendees, according to Wolfe. 

Winner of best costume dressed as Frozone, of the movie The Incredibles

The host of a drag show is known as the drag queen, king, or thing, and is in charge of presenting all drag performers for the night, as well as giving announcements to the crowd, Wolfe said.  

Aria PettyOne was the host this Halloween night, a drag queen previously involved with Fort Lewis as the host for most of the drag shows that have been put on at the college, Wolfe said. 

Aria PettyOne at this years halloween dragshow

Another drag performer at the Halloween event was Mix Trix, who presents as a drag thing, rather than a drag queen or king, Trix said. Who has attended many drag shows at Fort Lewis before, they said. 

Trix and PettyOne are a couple, and often involve one another in their comedic performances, Trix said. 

Mix Trix at this year's halloween dragshow

At the drag shows hosted at Fort Lewis, it is common for members of the student body to participate alongside professional drag performers. 

The Gender and Sexuality Resource Center offers a workshop hosted by Wolfe and PettyOne in which students can learn about drag, and experience it for themselves, Wolfe said. 

Teaching students topics from how to do drag makeup to how to look confident on the stage, PettyOne has become a drag mom to many Fort Lewis drag babies through this workshop, Wolfe said. 

Xeno Innarelli and Cora Lopez are two Fort Lewis students who performed in the 2025 Halloween drag show. 

Student performer

Student performer

Another tradition that comes with this Drag show every year is the costume contest. Fort Lewis students can enter a friendly contest, and model down the runway to compete for who has the best costume, Wolfe said.  

Melody Eisenberger and Malakai Hanson, two members of the newly formed Fort Lewis Fashion Club,  judged the costume contest.

The contest was divided into four categories; best group costume, scariest costume, most creative and overall best costume.

Winners of best group costume dressed as characters from Illumination’s Despicable Me 

Winner of scariest costume, dressed as a scary clown.

Winner of most creative costume, dressed as a bowl of candy.