Drag queens performers pose before Saturday’s drag bingo event at Susquehanna Brewing Company. Pictured left to right are Velvet Sweet, Nevaeh DeDa, and Tracy Turn’D Bad. The event, which featured drag queens, bingo, prizes, and performances, was held in honor of Jenneca Simkonis. Proceeds benefited the Women’s Resource Center of Scranton.
Hannah Simerson | Times Leader
Drag Bingo held by Jenneca Simkonis Memorial Foundation benefits Women’s Resource Center
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Bingo winner Brianna Doherty poses with her prize during Saturday’s drag bingo event at Susquehanna Brewing Company.
Hannah Simerson | Times Leader
Drag queen Velvet Sweet announces bingo numbers to players during Saturday’s drag bingo event at Susquehanna Brewing Company.
Hannah Simerson | Times Leader
PITTSTON — A sold-out drag bingo event Saturday night paid tribute to Jenneca Simkonis while supporting one of her favorite causes.
“It doesn’t feel real. This really exceeded our expectations,” said Sarah Harris, Simkonis’ sister-in-law and secretary of the Jenecca Simkonis Memorial Foundation.
The sold-out event drew a crowd of over 175 people to Susquehanna Brewing Company, and proceeds will benefit the Women’s Resource Center of Scranton. It featured drag queens, bingo, prizes, and performances,
Simokonis was killed in a car accident on Interstate 81 on March 4, 2022. A Lackawanna County native, she moved to Plains Township as an adult.
The Jenneca Simkonis Memorial Foundation was created after her death. to bring awareness and support to causes and organizations which were near to her heart.
The Women’s Resource Center’s mission is to end domestic and sexual violence through advocacy, education, and social change.
Throughout the night, drag performers Velvet Sweet, Navaeh Deda, and Tracy Turn’D Bad alternated performances between bingo rounds, in which each performer lip-synched and danced to a song of their choosing.
Prizes for the bingo rounds were donated by local businesses and included jewelry, car detailing equipment, gift cards, and more.
In addition to the bingo rounds and drag performances, there were also food and drink options available for purchase courtesy of the Susquehanna Brewing Company.
Of all the activities planned for the event, it seemed most attendees were more eager to see the drag queens than anything else.
“I was most excited for the drag performances,” said Mikala Borino.
Although most attendees knew what to expect from the event, some had never been to a drag performance before.
Kim Kalanick, who had only previously been introduced to drag on the popular television show RuPaul’s Drag Race, was eager to see what the drag queens had to offer.
“I love bingo and I always search because I don’t like purses and I absolutely love drag. When I saw this, I thought, ‘this will be great,’” said Kalanick.
Sam Harris, Simkonis’ sister and vice president of the Jenneca Simkonis Memorial Foundation, gave a speech to the attendees in which she remarked on the event’s importance. Harris stressed the need for inclusivity and acceptance, especially toward the drag community.
“I just don’t understand why anyone’s comfortability is more important than anyone’s right to exist in the world. That’s just not how we roll here,” Harris said.
Laughter rang through the halls of the brewery well past the 8 p.m. scheduled end time and it seemed as if attendees did not want to leave.
As the drag performers entertained the crowd, Sarah Harris looked on with a smile.
“To be able to get in a room with people and just celebrate, it means more than we can say. It’s so healing,” said Harris.
The Jenneca Simkonis Memorial Foundation hopes to turn Drag Bingo into a yearly event.