Hundreds of thousands of revellers have flocked to Sydney’s famous Oxford Street as the city transforms with colour and glitter for the 40th Mardi Gras parade.
Saturday’s celebration is expected to attract a record crowd as organisers take the chance to look back on defining moments in the event’s history.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his wife Lucy made an appearance the Dykes on Bikes and Boys on Bikes kicked off the evening’s festivities.
Hundreds of thousands of revellers have flocked to Sydney’s famous Oxford Street as the city transforms with colour and glitter for the 40th Mardi Gras parade
Saturday’s celebration is expected to attract a record crowd as organisers take the chance to look back on defining moments in the event’s history
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his wife Lucy made an appearance the Dykes on Bikes and Boys on Bikes kicked off the evening’s festivities
Mr Turnbull described the parade as a ‘wonderful part of Sydney’.
‘It’s 40 years old and 40 years ago Lucy and I had our first date so our love affair is a result of Mardi Gras,’ Mr Turnbull said.
About 200 floats will make their way up the popular strip from 7pm, including a group of 250 people who were involved in the original 1978 demonstration and subsequent riot.
More than 12,000 people will take part in this year’s parade including Maude Boate, who has travelled from Broken Hill in far west NSW and isn’t new to the Mardi Gras scene.
About 200 floats will make their way up the popular strip from 7pm, including a group of 250 people who were involved in the original 1978 demonstration and subsequent riot
More than 12,000 people are expected to take part in the parade this year
The 2018 edition of the parade is the first since same-sex marriage in Australia was legalised
Tens of thousands of people flocked to the parade dressed in an assortment of eye-catching outfits
‘It’s about my 30th Mardi Gras,’ she told AAP in Sydney on Saturday.
‘It’s a wonderful night and what a wonderful milestone it is for equality.’
For Kobie Howe and Katrina Stouppos, it’s the first time they have been able to celebrate Mardi Gras as a legally married couple in Australia.
‘This year we are marching with marriage equality, it’s an important year given what’s happened last year,’ Ms Howe told AAP.
‘It’s a great time to celebrate everyone’s individuality, differences and diversity.’
The couple, who has been together for eight years, brought along their four-year-old daughter Mackie.
When asked what Mardi Gras meant to her, Mackie simply answered ‘marriage equality’.
There’s speculation pop superstar Cher – the headline act at the official party – could make a surprise appearance during the parade.
Mardi Gras creative director Greg Clarke stopped short of confirming the rumours but insisted people would not be disappointed.
‘She has come all this way and … I’m sure she’s going to want to be in that parade,’ he told ABC news on Saturday.
‘A big surprise.’
More than 1000 police officers will keep a close eye on revellers as part of a huge security operation that will also involve strategically parked vehicles, an intelligence crew, mounted police, the riot squad and sniffer dogs.
Assistant Commissioner Tony Crandell urged partygoers to look out for one another and plan their night ahead.
A number of roads will be closed, while thousands will be using public transport before and after the parade.
‘Police have been working with parade organisers and the LGBTIQ community to ensure a safe and fun night for all those taking part and supporting the event,’ he said on Saturday.
Some of the highlights of the night will include a giant champagne bottle to be popped at Taylor Square and a same-sex wedding ceremony during the parade.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting mild temperatures and mostly clear skies.