Mardi Gras: the prelude

Sydney Mardi Gras is really, basically, Sydney Gay Pride. With a parade followed by several rounds of parties, in concept it's much like Pride in any American city (though, as you'll see, the details differ in some important respects).

Preparations for the parade engulf much of the downtown area for hours before it starts. We stumbled upon this disco-ball-clad group coming out of the headquarters of one of the major banks, at least a mile from the actual parade route:


As we discovered when they marched by a few hours later, this was the bank's official delegation to the parade, of which it was a major sponsor.

Closer to the start of the route, you see streets blocked off ...



... as people in costume become the majority ...


The gay flag flies from balconies ...


... and over City Hall ...



As the sun set, we headed for our seats in the "Glamstand," a grandstand viewing area that sells tickets and gives the money to charity ...


... and we arrived just as the Dykes on Bikes were kicking off the parade:


To be continued ...