A few weeks ago on a rainy Friday night, I found myself in Coney Island about to judge

a very unusual pageant alongside a motley crew of judges, including photographer Nicholas

Heller, aka New York Mico, performance artist Reverend Jen Miller, and internet sensation

Maxine the fluffy corgi and her owner, Brian.

Coney Island USA's C-shore theater is normally the home of the Coney Island circus side show

with its acrobats, fire eaters, and swords wallowers.

But on this night, we were there to judge some more unexpected acts in celebration of the

New York City subway system.

The host for the evening was Burlesque Star and reigning Miss Coney Island, Maggie McMuffin.

Be sashed with bubblegum pink highlights and a glittery dress with silver fringe.

But we love trash here, we love trash.

I mean, what would our fine Coney Island beaches be without trash?

Safer perhaps?

Cleater?

I don't like either of those words.

Yes, this was heavily influenced by the nature of Coney Island itself.

The contestants ranged from dancers and drag queens to poets and even a dog act.

But this show was honoring a tradition which began in 1941, paying tribute to the New York

City subway system and the extraordinary women who rode those trains every single day.

I went with my mother from Queens into Manhattan on the subways and of course recognized that

my poster was all over in every car and people did recognize me and we would go into

Manhattan with gloves dressed up at the time, nothing like you see today.

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