Sydney prepares for Mardi Gras parade
The lipstick is being applied and hundreds of bodies are being covered with fake tans and glitter, as excitment mounts for Sydney's 34th gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade.
Just hours away from strutting their stuff up Oxford Street, this year's parade includes cyber punk cheerleaders, smoking dragons, giant peacocks, dozens of Marie Antoinettes, sparkling fish and even a replica harbour bridge.
Same-sex marriage will be a constant theme, with at least 15 floats set to voice opposition to laws that prevent gay people from tying the knot in Australia.
With more than 70 NSW Rural Fire Service volunteers taking part, it will most definitely be raining men but grey skies are threatening to deliver the wet stuff as well.
If that is the case, the show will go on anyway, organisers say.
Up to 300,000 spectators are expected with parade participants to start marshalling from 4pm (AEDT).
The parade officially kicks off at 7.45pm at Whitlam Square, then snakes up Oxford Street and into Flinders Street before it finishes in Moore Park.
Crowds were already starting to line the parade route as early as 2pm (AEDT).
The best vantage points are along Oxford Street, Flinders Street and at Taylor Square.
The lipstick is being applied and hundreds of bodies are being covered with fake tans and glitter, as excitment mounts for Sydney's 34th gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade.
Just hours away from strutting their stuff up Oxford Street, this year's parade includes cyber punk cheerleaders, smoking dragons, giant peacocks, dozens of Marie Antoinettes, sparkling fish and even a replica harbour bridge.
Same-sex marriage will be a constant theme, with at least 15 floats set to voice opposition to laws that prevent gay people from tying the knot in Australia.
With more than 70 NSW Rural Fire Service volunteers taking part, it will most definitely be raining men but grey skies are threatening to deliver the wet stuff as well.
If that is the case, the show will go on anyway, organisers say.
Up to 300,000 spectators are expected with parade participants to start marshalling from 4pm (AEDT).
The parade officially kicks off at 7.45pm at Whitlam Square, then snakes up Oxford Street and into Flinders Street before it finishes in Moore Park.
Crowds were already starting to line the parade route as early as 2pm (AEDT).
The best vantage points are along Oxford Street, Flinders Street and at Taylor Square.
