Evening gowns, hula skirts and size 15 go-go boots were among the items of clothing spotted on the runway at the Sweet 16 rendition of the Nansemond River Pilot Club’s Womanless Beauty Pageant on Saturday.

Eight local men put on women’s clothing and strutted their stuff for a crowd of about 400 at the Liberty Baptist Church Liberty Outreach Center.

“It was a great night,” said event chairman Becky Adams. “We had a lot of fun with the contestants, and we had an outstanding crowd.”

With high heels, sparkly dresses and a belly-dancing talent routine, “Jay La,” usually known as Jay Lagman, stole the show and ended the night crowned Ms. Relay for Life.

“Four out of my six uncles have passed away from cancer,” Lagman said. He noted his grandfather fought cancer three times and died from it.

“We’ve got to find a way to beat this,” he said.

Walson Williams, known Saturday as “Hakuna Matatas,” said he decided to do it after a close friend passed away from pancreatic cancer, leaving behind children ages 6 and 9.

“I put my pride aside to do it,” he said. “It was worth me giving my time.”

Patrick Carroll said his best friend has lost several family members to cancer, and the friend’s wife is currently in cancer treatment. He’s done the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics before, so he’s developed quite a reputation.

“They know I’m crazy enough to do anything to raise a dollar,” he said.

The event is a Relay For Life fundraiser sponsored by the Nansemond River Pilot Club. Money was raised through ticket sales, dozens of silent auction items, a 50/50 raffle and money placed in contestants’ buckets to vote for the People’s Choice Award.

Host Dave Parker kept the fun going as the contestants modeled casual wear and eveningwear, performed talents and answered interview questions.

Williams drew one of the biggest laughs of the night when he said his role model is Beyonce, “because she got where she got with half of the looks and talent that I have.”

The participants raided the closets of friends and female family members, looked online and scoured thrift stores to get their clothes. Carroll found a pair of size 15 go-go boots on Amazon to complement his eveningwear outfit.

Lagman said his heels were hurting by the end of the night after attempting some ladies’ footwear.

“Women struggle,” he said.

Adams said the club still is calculating final totals of money raised.

“Dave Parker did an outstanding job, the Pilots themselves did an outstanding job, and the silent auction went well,” she said. “It was a nice evening. Thanks to our sponsors and our Pilots and co-Pilots. Without them, this night wouldn’t have been as much of a success as it was.”

The winners of the other awards were:

• Most Original — “Barbielicious Chang,” Joe Natoli
• Best Interview — “Ima Man,” Ottis Bishop
• Best Talent — “Joleen Makit Rayne,” Joe Shannon
• Best Casual Wear — “Boo Bahlahz,” Russell Edwards
• Best Looking — “Anita Goodman,” Patrick Carroll
• Miss Congeniality — “Anita Carr,” Robert Waters
• People’s Choice — “Hakuna Matatas,” Walson Williams