Closing out Twin Peaks Day on February 24, 2024, attendees to the Real Twin Peaks 2024 event returned to Snoqualmie Valley Eagles for the first Mx Twin Peaks Adornment and Cosplay Gala followed by Leland’s Karaoke hosted by DJ Dwaine Wheeler. It was a night of fun festivities that resulted in the crowning of a new queen.
MX TWIN PEAKS AND LELAND’S KARAOKE ADVERTISEMENTS
These events were held from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. at Snoqualmie Valley Eagles. Access was included for attendees with VIP A-D tickets while other guests could purchase tickets separately for $10.00 at the door.
There was a separate poster created for the first ever Mx Twin Peaks Adornment and Cosplay Gala. This gender-free event (hence “Mx” versus “Miss”) was a chance for attendees to show of cosplay skills. They could also recite lines from the series, dance, sing or whatever for two minutes each. Those wanting to participate in the Cosplay Gala needed to register at Eagles by 3:00 p.m. on February 23.
Every person present was entered into a drawing for a chance at being crowned “Mx Twin Peaks 2024.” People had to be present by 10:15 p.m. to be entered.
The poster was a nod to the Miss Twin Peaks Contest poster from season two which featured Jula Bell.
SNOQUALMIE VALLEY EAGLES SET UP
I arrived directly from No Boat Brewing Company in Snoqualmie where the panel discussion about watching Twin Peaks The Return being filmed was held. The room was already packed.
Folks were still arriving after me. I was thrilled to see so many people already in costume.
The Selena Swift standee, which was created by replica prop master Jason Mattson, wore the Mx Twin Peaks 2024 sash and held the official crown.
Next to the standee was a small table with a poster along with Blue Roses from Down To Earth Flower and Gifts in Snoqualmie. They created a few of these Blue Roses for the weekend’s festivities. Even Kyle MacLachlan wore one during his talk earlier in the day at the North Bend Theatre.
It was great seeing Jim Pennington (the Moonwalk kid from Twin Peaks High School in the pilot) join Karl Reinsch. We had shared his story on Friday during the first event panel at Hartwood Cafe.
Special thanks to Aaron Cohen for connecting me to him as it was such a highlight to see him hanging out with other Twin Peaks fans.
In other part of the room, there were clear umbrellas staged on a table.
Dan Gutierrez and Sarah Serenity from New Mexico waiting for the gala to begin.
ADORNMENT AND COSPLAY GALA
Josh “Doc Hayward” Eisenstadt took the stage as Cosplay participants eagerly waited near the door. Josh introduced the gala by reciting a few lines from season two episodes. Surprisingly, no contortionistic jazz exotica was performed. There were, however, some incredible costumes by talented people. The Chris Matthews’ Frogmoth was pretty creative and so was Anita Dunning-Rehn’s “Good Witch” from Wild at Heart. It was difficult for me to select a favorite as I thought they were all so creative!
There was one surprise entry of someone who looked almost exactly like the “Truck You” guy from Twin Peaks Part 14.
Actually, it was John Paulsen who played that guy who is attacked by Sarah Palmer at the Elk Point #9 Bar in the third season.
It was great having him at the Real Twin Peaks Event this year as he was part of a panel discussion in 2023 . As the night wore on, John did something even more incredible. Keep reading.
Mallie Majarais didn’t participate in the cosplay gala but she did bring a stylish game to the party, including a replica sweater worn by John Justice Wheeler (Billy Zane).
She also dressed as Cyril Pons (Mark Frost) from the third season.
GROUP PERFORMANCE WITH UMBRELLAS
After speaking at the microphone, participants picked up the clear umbrellas.
As a direct nod to that big group number in Twin Peaks episode 2.021, the music started and umbrellas started turning.
This entire thing made me laugh.
It was the perfect way to transition to the crowning of Mx Twin Peaks.
MX TWIN PEAKS 2024
DJ Dwaine then announced that Sarah Serenity who was dressed like Audrey Horne from One Eyed Jacks was selected as Mx Twin Peaks 2024. Mary Hütter placed the crown on her head.
Mary then pinned the Mx Twin Peaks 2024 sash to Sarah.
Sarah received the Blue roses and posed for a few photographs. Congratulations! Thankfully Windom Earle didn’t show up and Sarah continued enjoying the evening’s festivities.
LELAND’S KARAOKE
The lights dimmed as DJ Dwaine Wheeler fired up the karaoke machine.
Songs included “In Dreams” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls.”
It was wonderful seeing so many people take to the stage. There were no shortage of performers. I thought someone may sing “Get Happy” but it never happened.
But John Paulsen took the microphone and gave an outstanding rendition of “Rainbow Connection” ala Kermit The Frog.
The crowd loved it!
Jim Pennington also took to the stage and sang “Be Good Johnny” by Men at Work.
Toward the end of the night, Josh Eisenstadt hopped on stage to perform “Shadow” by The Chromatics.
He was awesome! I can’t get enough of that song as it takes me back to the best summer of 2017 when Twin Peaks The Return aired on Showtime.
THE PARTY CONTINUED PAST 1:00 A.M.
The party continued past 1:00 a.m. at Snoqualmie Valley Eagles. I was happy to see so many of my fellow Bookhouse Boys and Gals gathered to share laughs and stories.
Over the years, it’s been great seeing these folks like Kenny McKee and Diana Renee at these events.
Or hanging out with David Wirch who I first saw at the Festival of Disruption 2018 in Brooklyn, New York.
And I can’t forget James Ellis from the United Kingdom.
We had spent time in February 2023 exploring Kiana Lodge on Bainbridge Island in Poulsbo, Washington. So nice to spend time with him again this trip.
EVEN MORE IMAGES ON FLICKR
You can find even more images on my Flickr account under the Real Twin Peaks 2024 | Mx Twin Peaks and Real Twin Peaks 2024 | Leland’s Karaoke albums. The images have a Creative Commons license which means you only have to give credit to “Sam Howzit” if used.
