On a cold, rainy night, queens of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ turn up the heat in sizzling Soldier Field show

Gottmik performs Friday night during “Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021” in the parking lot at Soldier Field. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Performers, including Gottmik, Asia O’Hara, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, Naomi Smalls, Kim Chi and Plastique Tiara, did not disappoint their Chicago fans.

The dramatic drop in temperature and immense downpour failed as deterrents for fans of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” as scores of devotees danced and sang along with their favorite queens in the south parking lot of Soldier Field Friday evening.

The live event — “Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021” — hosted by Voss Events, featured the “Super Queens” from various seasons of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and they were coming to save the world from the disappointment that was 2020. Performers included Asia O’Hara, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, Naomi Smalls, Plastique Tiara and others.

“There is no such thing as raining on our parade because here’s the thing; drag and being queer and being fierce does not have any stoppers,” said Moxiett Contin, who braved the rain and lakefront chill to take in the extravaganza. “Rain, nor snow, nor shine will stop anything. It’s all about being you, it’s all about being fierce, it’s all about being f------ amazing,”

(From left) Plastique Tiara, Naomi Smalls, Gottmik, Kim Chi and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo perform Friday night during Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021, hosted by Voss Events, in the parking lot of Soldier Field. — (From left) Plastique Tiara, Naomi Smalls, Gottmik, Kim Chi and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo perform Friday night during “Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021,” hosted by Voss Events, in the parking lot of Soldier Field.

“I’m hoping to see some drag queens dance their butts off,” said attendee Maddie Nawrocki, ahead of the show.

Each performer did just that despite it raining sideways and forcing staff to intermittently squeegee pools of rainwater off the stage.

Gottmik, who was featured on the latest season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” was involved in a mock bar fight as Joan Jett and the BlackHearts’ “I Love Rock ‘N Roll” echoed through the parking lot. Fans cheered, cars honked their horns and those with VIP standing seats danced in unison.

Kim Chi walked like a duck around the stage in her animal-themed performance that ended with her literally laying an egg on stage, but it wasn’t anything near a failure, with fans both laughing and jumping up in excitement.

Despite the cold, it just felt good to be surrounded by other people, according to one superfan.

Hunter Sims-Douglas said doing his hair before the show was a waste of time because of all the rain, but it also wasn’t going to stop him from enjoying a great show.

“We get what we can get,” Sims-Douglas said. “If it’s outside in the rain, give it to me. I haven’t been to something like this in a year and a half. Let’s go!”

“Drive ’N Drag 2021” runs through Sunday at Soldier Field’s South Lot. For tickets, visit tixr.com.