KEY WEST , Florida ( CNN ) -- It 's one of the few New Year 's Eve parties in America where straight guys think twice about kissing a stranger at midnight . The red paint was still wet when Sushi took the first ride on the ruby slipper . Key West , Florida , the southernmost point in the continental United States , has long been known for its pristine blue ocean , key lime pie , mega bars and margaritas . But it 's also known for a female impersonator who rings in the new year in a giant , ruby-red , high-heel shoe live on CNN . The magnificently gowned , stylishly coiffed Sushi is about to enter his eleventh year in the eight-foot shoe . At the stroke of midnight , he 'll be lowered from the second-story balcony at the Bourbon Street Pub to ring in 2009 as only he can . `` I never thought growing up that I 'd be on television in a giant red heel '' , said Sushi , whose real name is Gary Marion . `` That 's not something that a young kid aspires to , but I 'm so thankful that I live in a country that lets us do what we want to do , as long as we do n't hurt anybody else . '' This extravaganza has long been a featured part of CNN 's Live New Year 's Eve coverage , hosted this year by CNN 's Anderson Cooper and comedian Kathy Griffin . iReport.com : Show us what happens in your town . `` This has got to be one of the most unique drops in the world , '' said Andy Newman , director of media relations for the Florida Keys tourism council . `` The whole thing of a drag queen coming down in a bright red shoe is just wild and could only happen in Key West . '' Leading up to the stroke of midnight , thousands of partygoers are treated to an elaborate drag queen show in the middle of Duval Street . Sushi , or Marion , is the leader of an acclaimed troupe of drag performers , called the 801 Girls , who dance the night away at the 801 Bourbon Street Pub . The owners of the bar , Jimmy Gilleran and Joey Schroeder , dreamed up the event 11 years ago to get more tourists down to Key West . The first event was thrown together in about two weeks , and the shoe was made of papier-mâché and two-by-fours , and painted red . `` The paint was still wet , and I had a white dress on , and I sat in it , '' Sushi said . `` They did n't have a permit , and the cops kicked me out , and then we had to call the mayor , and he gave us the OK. ... It was just a mess '' , he said . CNN correspondent John Zarrella is covering the show . It 's been his assignment for several years now . `` The very first year ... standing on the stage with two drag queens , not knowing what to expect , and when they both kissed me on the cheeks at the same time , I thought to myself , I hope my mother and my wife were n't watching -- but they were , '' he said . Zarrella says he 's seen the event change over the years that CNN has been carrying the show live . `` Every year , it seems to get bigger , and more and more families come every year , '' he said . A costume designer by profession , Marion has designed most of the 801 Girls ' stage outfits and has created costumes for Keys theatrical productions . But he continues to gain widespread fame as Sushi . `` A lot of feedback from the straight community , who are like , 'that 's really cool , ' `` he said . `` I get a lot of people from Montana , and they think the only gay thing is Brokeback Mountain . Now they see me in the shoe . ''
New York has a crystal ball , Atlanta has a diamond , and West has a ruby - red shoe . They will carry the queen Sushi when it 's dropped from balcony of bar . The performer has ridden the bus since the first show 11 years ago .