A queen by the name of Betty Desire stepped onstage to a packed audience last weekend as the opening to “Tainted Love” reverberated through the speakers.

“Aren’t you glad you’re here and not watching some reality show at home?” asked the emcee.

The 200-plus crowd, ranging from high school students to senior citizens, responded with applause and catcalls.

It was Saturday night and Oak Harbor’s first drag show was well under way.

The event was hosted by the Rainbow Alliance and Asian Pacific Islander clubs at Skagit Valley College. By 7:15 p.m. the tickets were sold out.

“I would guess about 75 people were turned away outside,” said Penny Perka, Skagit Valley College student activities coordinator. The show was held at the Best Western Harbor Plaza on Highway 20.

For those able to squeeze inside, the three-hour show featured everything from lip-syncing to a roller skate tribute to “Xanadu.” The college students enlisted professional drag queens from Bellingham and peppered in their own performances.

Fifty-nine-year-old Dennis Nichols said he wasn’t sure what to expect from the evening’s festivities, but he predicted “something equivelant to Ru Paul.” There were several sassy drag queens (men dressed as women) that night and also drag kings, or women dressed as men.

Stylists made over college student Madison Shipley in a ball cap, baggy pants and applied facial hair before the show; they used an eyebrow pencil for the beard. Along with the clothes, the performers were expected to play the part. Shipley said she spent time practicing her “guy walk.”

“It’s hard at first because you naturally swing your hips,” she said.

Shipley joined her club members in a risque lip-sync/dance act to “Love Game” by Lady Gaga. Other performers incorporated talents such as belly dancing or actual singing to a diverse set list of 90s music and Top 40 hits.

Organizers said the evening was meant to be fun and lighthearted, but that it also had purpose. It was a chance to celebrate diversity and create a mindful atmosphere. The show also raised about $650 in scholarship funds to Skagit Valley College. Part of the donations came from a drag auction in which audience members, who were the top moneymakers, were styled in drag to compete for Lady Gaga tickets. By applause, the crowd selected Steve Jacobs of Oak Harbor.

“The winner had a spectacular outfit on that involved feathers,” said Rainbow Alliance adviser Barbara Moburg.

Hope McCormick, an audience member near the front row, said she was happy with the turnout and the general vibe of the room pre-show.

“There’s more positivity here than negativity,” she said. “It is 2010 after all.”

As all eyes turned to the red-head onstage, Betty Desire, she predicted this won’t be the city’s last time seeing drag performers.

“You guys are ripe for a whole bunch of drag shows in Oak Harbor.”