Cathy Craig thought she was at a holiday event to raise money for scholarships. Many of her peers and protégés were there and acting like it was any other show.
But this was not any other show, it was an elaborate subterfuge to lure her in and give her the surprise of a lifetime.
For 51 years, Craig has entertained crowds and raised piles of money to support the LGBTQ community. On this night, the community said, “thank you.”
“Tonight we have requested your presence to join us in celebrating one of the community’s most treasured performers,” OutSFL CEO Justin Wyse told the audience, which was filled with Craig’s lifelong fans and friends. “When the word ‘iconic’ is used, so many names come to mind. There is one name we can all agree on when it comes to being an icon, and that person is the amazing, incomparable Miss Cathy Craig. This night is all about you.”
A shocked Craig made her way to the stage while Wyse recited a long list of her accomplishments. She was given a sparkling crown and a sash. While she has collected many of them over the years, these will stand out.
Eventually, it was her turn to speak.
“Years go by and you just keep going. Fifty one years doing drag for me. There are so many performers here tonight, and I am proud to be part of them.”
The evening was filled with South Florida drag legends, including OutSFL’s Queen of Queens Melissa St. John, reigning Mz OutSFL Velvet Lenore, and the original Mz OutSFL Erika Norell. Other outstanding performers included Nikki Adams, Angie Ovahness Pryce, Tiffany Arieagus and more.
Penultimate Performance
The night was billed as “Myrna’s Official Kickoff Party 2026 Farewell Tour,” and Craig thought she was there to honor Julian Cavazos, who is retiring his long-suffering character Myrna in September.
That part is true, and Myrna kicked off the night by reprising the very first number she performed nearly 15 years ago.
But even Myrna was happily deferential to the Icon of the night.
“Cathy Craig has been a friend of mine for many years. When this opportunity came to me I thought there’s no better way to celebrate one of the icons of South Florida.”
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