Celebrating the new year with Sushi
December 31st, 2010
09:50 PM ET

Celebrating the new year with Sushi

New York may have a crystal ball, but Key West, Florida, has Gary Marion to help bring in the new year.

Gary who? That's a fair question, because most people know him only by the name Sushi.

Every December 31 for the past 14 years, Marion has put on a wig and false eyelashes and painted his lips before stepping into a supersized red high heel on the roof of the Bourbon Street Pub. The gown Sushi wears is handmade. This year it is gold and silver, and it took Marion about 45 hours to make.

Tonight, a crowd has gathered and they are anxious to see female impersonator Sushi (pictured) as Sushi is lowered to street level, marking the start of the new year. CNN reporter John Zarrella has been bringing this celebration live to CNN's viewers for the past nine years.

During an interview with Zarrella last year, Marion threatened to retire. Sushi's fans pleaded with her to continue this Key West tradition. Thanks to those fans, we are back in Key West for another New Year's Eve with Sushi at the helm, or - should I say? - in the heel.

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Filed under: Florida
soundoff (27 Responses)
  1. mr. Loveit

    Like facebook ..they say... "resistance is futile"

    January 1, 2011 at 2:06 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Chig

    This is so happy in that fifties sort of way.

    January 1, 2011 at 3:22 pm | Report abuse |
  3. MissAnthrope

    LMAO! Absurd!

    January 1, 2011 at 5:56 pm | Report abuse |
  4. phil

    thank you GaGa...and may this New Year become for you as a snow-white Dove, with it's gentle coo whisping in your breeze as if to say...are those saltine's? (he-he) Really, I am looking forward to reading your postings and helping me with my spelling. (wink)

    January 1, 2011 at 7:56 pm | Report abuse |
  5. MissAnthrope

    Sushi!!! Yum!!!
    California rolls! Spring rolls! I'm hungry now...

    January 1, 2011 at 9:11 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Veritas

    Happy new year to all and God bless. Please no negativity. Its quite counterproductive. We all live in this country together and whatever we do en mass or individually affects all, and the greater good. We must strive to make our country and our world work as a whole. Perhaps the musketeers said it best; One For All and All for One, or Todd Beamer Lets Roll, or our leader President Obama Yes We Can! No matter who or why we need to unite one country under God indevisible. Lets try to make it work folks. Yes We Can!

    January 1, 2011 at 9:49 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Liberty Queen

    sushi means rice and vinegar. a lot of sushi has no fish at all. a lot of fish that is in it is cooked, either via citric acid (like whoever else said) or any other way you want to cook it. idiots.

    January 1, 2011 at 10:07 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Jeff Frank

    I am just an amateur home cook. Sushi is good for you, but it too has its' place throughout the year. I like it occasionally when wife and I go to a Chinese restaurant. Her and I traditionally have boiled cabbage and potatoes with turkey sausage today on New Years Day.

    January 1, 2011 at 11:53 pm | Report abuse |
  9. COL. BAT GUANO

    sushi is pretentious

    January 2, 2011 at 1:52 am | Report abuse |
  10. Cold!

    Happy New Year everyone!!!!

    http://bofadeez.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-years-resolution.html

    January 2, 2011 at 1:02 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Samburt Jim

    @Liberty Queen, why are you so negative on people..i have seen you on previous articles and you are so crude to people...people you don't know...lighten up a little, not everyone is horrible

    January 3, 2011 at 2:44 pm | Report abuse |
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