Sydney Mardi Gras 2010

[J220]

Has anyone ever attended the Sydney Australia Mardi Gras? I may be in the area around that time and was wondering if it's as fun as it seems. Any feedback welcome, such as where to stay, what to do, any tips, etc. Thanks in advance!

[anniebc]

I have never been to it myself but I know others who have, and they really enjoyed the whole experience, maybe one of the Aussie boys will call in an give you some information on it.

Hugs
Jan

[J220]

Yeah I've been looking at youtube clips of lasts year's event and it certainly seems a blast.

The official site is  http://www.mardigras.org.au/ .

I'll be in traveling up and down the eastern coast so I guess I can spend a few days in sydney. Just gotta figure out which weekend would be best, as they have different activities. on different days, although the parade and party on the final weekend is probably what I should not miss?

[Merlin]

I attended 2004 with some friends and it was fun. I then took 2 weeks to tour round Sydney and Melbourne too. Since you are there and if you can spare the time and change, try to travel around Australia and not just attend the event alone to maximise your presence there. Not sure if the scale of the events in recent years has increased or been downsized. Check their website for more info and also to see who will be their VIP Celebrity for 2011. My year 2004 was the First Lady Of Song, Ms Dionne Warwick herself.   

[GSOgymrat]

I would love to experience it at least once, samething with Burning Man Festival, New Year's Eve in Time Square, New Orleans on a Saturday night...

[Miss Philicia]

New Year's Eve in Time Square

Never once in the 15 years that I lived there did I dare do that

[Matty the Damned]

I used to go to Mardi Gras quite a bit in the 1990s both the parade and the party afterwards. It started as a protest march in 1978 when sodomy was still a crime in NSW and that one ended with police beatings and the like.

It's struggled a bit through the last decade, the company that runs it keeps going broke.

MtD

[Miss Philicia]

I used to go to Mardi Gras quite a bit in the 1990s both the parade and the party afterwards.

I always knew you were a closet circuit party queen.  Were you doing G too?

[Matty the Damned]

I always knew you were a closet circuit party queen.  Were you doing G too?

I knew several fellows called G. back then. I did them all.

MtD

[GSOgymrat]

I knew several fellows called G. back then. I did them all.

MtD

Hall of Fame Comeback.

[lost_boy]

I went back in 2008, and it was pretty good fun. A little overwhelming to be honest, never been to clubs with so many damn people! Probably didn't enjoy it as much as I should have done as a) big clubs aren't really my thing, b) I don't do drugs and c) I'd been so drunk the week before and partying in SE Asia, I was knackered, haha!   

But yeah, go visit as much of Australia as you can, it's a beautiful, huge country. Such good food too. Mmmm

[fearless]

I did 17 in a row from 1988-2004, and was in the parade itself once in that period.

It has changed a lot over the years. Mardi Gras virgins still seem to enjoy it though and get a kick out of the event. The parade is free to watch, but the party itself will set you back about $150+.

If you do attend, a word of warning - you will be searched by sniffer dogs before you enter the party and there are police (and dogs?) inside the venue as well.

As lost boy noted, the clubs (what's left of them) are packed in week leading up to the party. That being said, it is really the only time of year that Oxford St could be said to be gay anymore. You'll see a certain side of Sydney at Mardi Gras, but very few Sydneysiders and certainly not the real Sydney. But, it can be fun.

I'm more than happy to give you advice on where to stay and what to do, but will need some more info about you and your plans. The 'east coast' is about 5-7,000 km long - where are you starting?, how long are you here?, what interests you? how much do you want to spend (in general, you will find Australia very expensive if you are from the US, with your $ the way it is you will find it incredibly expensive), will you be driving around? are you traveling alone or with friends?

[fearless]

and PS. As Matty noted in another thread - the drought. It broke.

My long range weather forecast for MG2011 - wet, wet, wet.

[Matty the Damned]

and PS. As Matty noted in another thread - the drought. It broke.

My long range weather forecast for MG2011 - wet, wet, wet.

Fred's prayers are answered. Finally.

MtD