Goodnight Sweatheart

Click here for all the details on farewell and Corroberee.

From the pompom-charged opening ceremony to all of the off- and on-field sporting action, the Gay Games has been full of memorable moments.

So, how high will organisers go to make the Games’ last day the top of the crescendo?

Higher than ever before is the opinion of closing ceremony director Ignatius Jones and Farewell party organiser Gary Leeson.

The Corroboree Closing Ceremony from 5pm will be all about the athletes, Jones says. It’s all about them. It’s about saying goodbye, it’s about -˜meet you again soon’.

The Corroboree will centre around the Fox Studios show-ring and is free for everyone. Jones says the ceremony will feel similar to a Mardi Gras fair day -“ for out-of-towners, fair day is an afternoon of gay and lesbian wholesome good times.

We’re expecting something like 15,000 or 16,000 people and it really should be pretty sweet. Sweet, and savoury -“ the organisers are also putting on a big Aussie barbecue and sausage sizzle.

The entertainment line-up will include the Gay and Lesbian Choir, a Carpenters cover band, actor Simon Burke and jazz singer Monica Trapaga, who will keep the crowd going until the huge, show-stopping finale.

Corroboree will run from 5pm until about 8pm on Saturday at Fox Studios in Moore Park.

A quick clean-up later and Fox will host the Games Farewell party to top all Games parties from 10pm. Party-host regulars Gary Leeson and Katrina M?on have called in popstar Tina Arena, soapie star-turned-singer Melissa Tkautz and dyke soul singer Shauna Jensen to entertain the masses in the Royal Hall of Industries at Fox Studios.

Leeson says the party will be the perfect climax: Closing night in Amsterdam was absolutely wild. I went to Amsterdam having been to many parties before and was expecting more of the same -“ but it was spiritual -¦ truly amazing.

DJs Alex Taylor and Paul Goodyear and the best of Sydney’s drag performers will join the RHI celebrities.

Over the laneway in the Hordern Pavilion, Anthony (Moose) Read will handle the lights and Mandy Rollins and Anthony Whitlock the decks in what organisers hope will be a camp-track showdown. Meanwhile, DJs Sveta and Jake Kilby should produce some surprises in the Dome.

Tickets are still available for Farewell and cost $99 and $79 (concession) plus booking fees from Ticketek 9266 4020.

People heading to the farewell celebrations have been urged to go by public transport. Transport NSW has released a statement warning of a lack of parking and a lot of traffic.

Shuttle buses will run between Central Station and Moore Park from 3:30pm. Sydney 2002 travel passes will be valid on the shuttle. Further transport information is available by calling the Transport Infoline on 131 500 or online at www.131500.com.au.