The Name Jim Flint is synonymous with the Baton Show Lounge, the Continental Pageantry system and the finest in Female Impersonation. Flint made his way to Chicago in mid-sixties where he started bartending while attending classes at Northwestern University. Not finding what he was looking for at university, he took a chance and with some help from others he opened the Baton Show Lounge in 1969. Not long after opening the club Flint bought out his partners and has since ran the club. Flint is also the owner and president of JF Enterprises, Inc. which maintains and operates his various business interest and ventures
Pageant icon Jim Flint tells story in ‘The Boy From Peoria’
The Name Jim Flint is synonymous with the Baton Show Lounge, the Continental Pageantry system and the finest in Female Impersonation. Flint made his way to Chicago in mid-sixties where he started bartending while attending classes at Northwestern University. Not finding what he was looking for at university, he took a chance and with some help from others he opened the Baton Show Lounge in 1969. Not long after opening the club Flint bought out his partners and has since ran the club. Flint is also the owner and president of JF Enterprises, Inc. which maintains and operates his various business interest and ventures. In the early days of The Baton, trying to draw business into the bar, he decided to put on some roller skates and a dress and twirl his baton. And with some friends joining him on the street to draw attention, they began to pull customers into the bar. He had to devise something to set the bar apart from the others, so he asked his friends to dress up and do shows along with himself as the emcee, “Felicia,” he would open the show with his baton twirling act and present the “girls.” It took off and there has been no looking back. The concept of “his drag,” would eventually come to define not only The Baton Show Lounge but set a standard of excellence in the art of female impersonation.
In addition to owning many other businesses, Jim owns the prestigious Miss Continental Pageantry System. What began as a hobby over some 30 years ago is now considered to be the ultimate female impersonation pageantry system throughout the world. The first Miss Continental Pageant was held in Chicago over Labor Day weekend. Through the years, the competitions for the title has seen the competitors pull out all the stops; from12′ Boa Constrictors to panthers in their talent routines, as well as some show stopping and creatively coordinated dance routines from Broadway favorites to modern day artist. They also wear the ultimate in gowns designed by some the top fashion designers including Bob Mackie, Prada, Burberry and some even buy dresses from thrift stores. The gowns, swim wear and dresses are the envy of all!
As the quality of the contest grew, soon Mr. Flint saw the need to add additional pageants. The Continental Pageantry System now features Miss Continental, Miss Continental at Large, Miss Continental Elite (over 40) and Mr. Continental.
After 43 years at the helm of his entertainment empire Jim Flint is ready to tell his story! From manicures to mob bosses, his story is full of lively characters and a history of Chicago that many didn’t know existed. The story of “The Boy From Peoria” as told by Flint is a tale rich in politicians, female impersonators, drag queens, gangsters, pageants, protests… and the list goes on. The book covers Jim’s life from his beginnings in Peoria, Illinois up to present day Chicago.
You can Purchase “The Boy From Peoria” and have Jim autograph your copy at his only South Florida Appearance at the Mr. and Miss State of Florida Continental Pageant on Sunday, February 19th at 8 pm at the Sunshine Cathedral (1480 SW 9th Avenue in Ft Laud).
