Earlier this month, we published The Pitch’s annual Best of Kansas City issue. You can take a peek at the results of the readers’ poll here. The issue also included a list, compiled and written by our editorial staff, of some local people, places, and things that we thought clearly won 2025. We’ll be publishing these items online throughout November.

When it comes to drag, some could argue that Melinda Ryder has been the best for 50 years. Since the late ‘70s, she has absolutely dominated the scene, winning Miss Gay Missouri 1979, Miss Gay Kansas City America 1982, Miss Gay Missouri America 1984, and 2nd Alternate to Miss Gay America 1985.

Bruce Winter—the person behind the Melinda Ryder personality—made his way to Kansas City from St. Louis in 1975, set up shop, and never left. To this

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