Mardi Gras Fair Day returns this weekend

SYDNEY will once again ring in the start of Mardi Gras season in style with Fair Day on Sunday, February 22.

To be held at Camperdown’s Victoria Park again, the event officially kicks off the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival and it is one of the biggest and much-loved community events on the city’s LGBTI calendar.

Every year, more than 70,000 people attend Fair Day to prove that in the LGBTI community, family is whatever you want it to be.

“I love the way that Fair Day opens Mardi Gras season in such a loud, proud, welcoming and happy fashion,” Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi chief executive Michael Rolik said.

“It’s the perfect way for not only the LGBTQI community, but also their families, friends and supporters, to all get together and enjoy a blissful day of fun, food and festivities in the sun.”

The event is a day of live comedy, music and dance performances on the main stage, as well as roaming talent, children’s activities, theme park rides, and more than 240 community, market and food stalls.

Fair Day is also a perfect hybrid of picnic and party, so be sure to pack a rug with your loved ones, as this is the best way to make the most of it.

Around the park, there’s the Bear Tree, the YourGen Area, the Trans* and Gender Diverse Area and the Sports Village — each with lots of great, diverse programming.

The main stage entertainment will be hosted by Justin Hill of 2DAYFM’s Scoopla from 10am to 8pm. Expect performances from the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir, the trans*-fantastic Ash Baroque and Strykermeyer from Bar Bitch Chew Art and a camp performance by the Harbour City Bears. There’ll also be DJs, kids shows, comedy, cabaret, dance, and more.

Another highlight of the day is the world-famous DoggyWood dog show. Here, all pampered pooches get to network, show off their skills, rock some fabulous outfits, and have convivial canine time. There will also be plenty of fantastic prizes up for grabs in the look-alike contest, talent show, massages for “both ends of the lead”, best-dressed competition and the obstacle course.

Meanwhile, the Mardi Gras Garden Lounge will play host to DJs Adam Love, Amanda Louise and Oxford Hustler, who will be spinning tunes all day long, and as the afternoon rolls on, DJs Kitty Glitter and Victoria Anthony keep things pumping from the main stage.

Donations help keep Fair Day free for everyone, so spare some loose change upon entry.

When the sun goes down over Victoria Park for Fair Day, turn it up again at Sydney’s hip suburb of Newtown. The Bank Hotel and Newtown Hotel are once again teaming up with Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras to invite you to party the night away with an array of great DJs and entertainment.

DETAILS:

FAIR DAY

WHERE: Victoria Park, Camperdown

WHEN: Sunday, February 22; 10am-8pm

AFTER THE FAIR

WHERE: Newtown Hotel & Bank Hotel; King St, Newtown

WHEN: Sunday, February 22; From 7pm

For more details on Fair Day, including a schedule of the main stage performances, visit mardigras.org.au/events/fair-day