"Crowds of more than half a million are expected to line the streets to watch the world's largest costume parade in celebration of gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual and queer culture," said New Mardi Gras Co-Chair Stevie Clayton.
Ron Muncaster's (top pic) spectacular costumes are one of the highlights of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. He has won the Best Costume award at Mardi Gras 14 times since the award's inception in 1982. In 1994, he won it for the costume Lucille Balls, which his partner, Jacques Straetmans, wore.
A retrospective tribute to Mardi Gras legend Ron Muncaster featuring 36 of his famous and award-winning costumes.
Generation Youth involving young people under 25 will march with 78ers to celebrate the regeneration of this event.
The NSW Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby will make a strong political statement on the legislative reforms still outstanding in NSW.
"New Mardi Gras will make it's own pre-NSW election political statement on the t-shirts of the 1200 parade volunteers "we're here, we're queer, we vote'," Ms Clayton said.
Pre-parade favourites Dykes on Bikes will be celebrating their 15th anniversary as the highlight of the foreplay section. A new contingent of boys on bikes, the Road Runners, will also help get the crowd revved up before the parade.
"Of the more than 140 floats registered for the night we have a number of entries from community organisations, religious groups, social and sporting clubs throughout Australia along with popular Marching Boys and Girls from Sydney and Melbourne," said New Mardi Gras Co-Chair Michael Woodhouse.
Parade spectators are advised to get to the event early and to use public transport. Best viewing positions will be towards the end of the parade route (Flinders St and Moore Park Rd) with Taylor Square not available as a viewing spot due to construction. Do not bring glass bottles or milk crates.
Reserved seating for parade viewing is available in the BGF Stand along Flinders Street with all proceeds going to the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation. For more information go to www.bgf.org.au.
25th Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade
When: 7.30 pm Saturday 1 March
Where: Starts at the corner of Elizabeth and Liverpool Sts, follows Oxford St and Flinders St, Darlinghurst to Moore Park.
(Source: Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras press release)