Sydney’s streets were lined with approximately 300,000 spectators on Saturday night for the 31st annual Mardi Gras Parade. Almost 10,000 participants and 135 floats took part in the parade, led by Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham.

The one and a half mile long parade saw streets packed with some parts ten people deep. The crowd was full of local and International visitors and people were animated and in enthusiastic spirits. The energy of the participants was also high, even towards the end of the parade route. The crowds cheered as the colourful floats passed by, with the biggest cheers going to the emergency services. Organisers describe the parade as ‘the jewel in our crown.’ New Mardi Gras Chair David Imrie said: “I love every minute of the parade. The atmosphere is electric.”

Mardi Gras began as a protest in 1978 when homosexuality was illegal and 56 arrests were made. This year 100 police participated in the parade and they commanded some of the biggest cheers from the crowds.

Oxford Street was declared an alcohol-free zone during the parade. Despite Oxford Street usually being an alcohol-free zone, exemption had been granted for the past two years. Police say despite the large crowds, people were generally well behaved.