Participant with an extraordinary costume
Participant to the Sydney Mardi Gras
The annual flamboyant, colourful and festive celebrations of the Sydney Mardi Gras celebrated its 35th year last March 2, since its conception in 1978. From then on, it has become one of Sydney’s most vibrant festivals which cater not just to the GLBTI community but to the general public as well.
All year round, colourful costumes and unconventional tiaras and headdresses are seen. Participants dance with a repertoire of loud, festive music. Others chanted thematic mantra of equality and love.
Macquarie Grammar School
Australian Army, Navy, Air Force
The parade this year is no different to the previous years in terms of colourful costumes and flashy floats that paraded down Oxford Street in Sydney. However, this year, notable was the large group of participants from the Australian Airforce, Army and Navy. The organisation even included a police musical band on a float. Another prominent group this year is the delegation from the Macquarie Grammar School, which compose of young student voicing equality and respect in the schools. Consequently, various groups and organisations that annually participate were also present. ACON, SES, RailCorp and the Fire Brigade are amongst them. Multicultural organisations paraded as well. Prominent were delegations from Thailand, and the Philippines.
Filipino participants
Thai participants
This year’s celebrations were marked with themes on gay marriage, equality and respect. Australia has not totally recognised gay marriage, however, laws on same-sex relationship, equality and discrimination exists.
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- NSW Fire Brigade
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- Finishing of the parade with a kiss
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- Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Sydney City Council Mayor
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- Start of the parade
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- Another amazing float
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- Colourful marching band
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- G.L.A.D.D
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- Police Musical Band
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- ACON (AIDS Council of NSW)
THE BUDGET WANDERERS 
I was honoured to take part on the lead float in 2000 as a polar bear 🙂
Posted by theINFP | March 10, 2013, 3:42 PMThat’s interesting. 🙂 We reckon that you really enjoyed that time.
Posted by thebudgetwanderer | March 10, 2013, 3:45 PMA great celebration of the LGBTI community. I like all the wonderful costumes and dances.
Posted by Ella Rice | March 10, 2013, 3:58 PMYeah, the festival has heaps of colourful costumes, some literally with less costumes. It was fun though. 🙂
Posted by thebudgetwanderer | March 10, 2013, 7:09 PMI normally go to the parade but I am in Mexico at the moment, so I missed it but your photos are so good that it made me feel like I was there – thank you!
Posted by cristenb | March 11, 2013, 9:35 AMGlad you enjoyed our collection of pics, we got more on our fb page, feel free to take a look. 🙂
Posted by thebudgetwanderer | March 11, 2013, 11:18 AMThis looks like so much fun! I’d love to be there, whether in the crowd or in the parade!
Posted by Megan @ Roamancing | March 12, 2013, 5:05 AMYeah, its a really great night out! 🙂
Posted by thebudgetwanderer | March 15, 2013, 4:12 PMReblogged this on jennytraceytravels and commented:
I was part of the GLADD float, which I will also write about, but this is a good summary of the parade!
Posted by jenny tracey | March 13, 2013, 12:21 PMOh Yes. I remember seeing that float..If i had known i would have got some more happy snaps, thanks for your comment! 🙂
Posted by thebudgetwanderer | March 15, 2013, 4:13 PMLooks like an awesome parade, I have never seen one like this but your photos and description make me experience it a little bit myself as well.
Posted by Freya Renders - Holiday Nomad | March 17, 2013, 3:54 AMits a very photogenic event , is n’t it ?
did you see my photos when you visited my blog (thanks for visiting by the way !)
( http://latitudesandattitudes.net/2013/03/04/walking-on-the-wild-side and http://latitudesandattitudes.net/2013/03/05/more-from-the-mardi-gras-parade ….. if anybody is interested )
Posted by Mike | March 28, 2013, 10:12 AM