OVER 120 delighted patrons swarmed to the Golden Sands Tavern last Thursday night to attend Drag Queen Bingo hosted by Melbourne’s leading drag queen, Abril LaTrene, as a fundraising event for Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service Mid North Coast (WIRES MNC).

The night was a combination of traditional bingo, delivered in a very cheeky adults-only manner, and iconic musical numbers where attendees witnessed costume changes that had them bursting with applause and roars of approval.

Although Drag Queen Bingo is not an entirely new concept, only two of the attendees at the Golden Sands that night had seen it before and nobody had experienced the combination of comedic and extravagant delivery that Abril LaTrene is renowned for.

Abril LaTrene told News Of The Area, “When WIRES MNC presented me with the opportunity to bring Drag Queen Bingo to Nambucca Heads and raise funds to assist in the wonderful work they do I just said ‘yes, yes, yes’.

“The amazing Golden Sands Tavern was the perfect place to hold the event and the tickets sold very fast with one couple coming all the way from Inverell just to take part.”

WIRES MNC member Fiona Nelson said, “So many generous local businesses got behind the night by donating wonderful prizes for bingo and raffle winners.

“The generosity of Bridgestone Select Nambucca Heads, Woolworths Nambucca Heads, Pizza Hut Nambucca Heads, The Golden Sands Tavern, The Bowraville Theatre, MacNuts Macksville, Pelicans Landing Garden Centre, Jazzy Hairtique Nambucca Plaza, Coastal Curves Surf Shop, Local Liquor Nambucca Heads and New River Edge Indian Cuisine Nambucca Heads made for big prizes all night,” Fiona added.

With all proceeds from ticket sales, raffles and WIRES merchandise at the event going to WIRES MNC, over $2500 was raised.

Such was the crowd reaction to the thoroughly entertaining Abril LaTrene that she promised to come back to Nambucca Heads for more fabulous fun.

By Mick BIRTLES