31st annual 17th Street High Heel Race takes place in DC

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In one of the most highly anticipated events of the year in the nation's capital, thousands of people gathered in the Dupont Circle area for the 17th Street High Heel Race.

The celebration kicked off at 7 p.m. Tuesday with a pre-race parade. The unique event, which is held on the Tuesday before Halloween each year, brought out many costumed drag queens and spectators in colorful and vibrant outfits out on the streets of D.C. while also providing a show of support for the LGBTQ community.

The high heel race has taken place in the District dating back to 1986.

The 31st edition of this annual race started at 9 p.m. Mayor Muriel Bowser was one of the grand marshals for the race. The winner of this year's race was Scott Teribury, a Go-Go dancer.

"The beginning [of the race], everyone is elbowing for position and getting everyone to back up at the start line is a little intense," Teribury said. "Then once you get out there, it's like cracks on the street and people are still with you, so it is kind of like trying to dodge packs and people and the screaming. You don't know where everyone is at."

This is the second time Teribury has won the high heel race. He also crossed the finish line first in 2014.