With fine weather forecasted this weekend, organisers of Melbourne’s Midsumma Festival are expecting a large turnout this Sunday 18 January at Alexandra Gardens for Carnival – the opening event of the 27th Midsumma Festival.
All your Carnival favourites are back including the Team Melbourne Beyond Blue Sporting Precinct; the annual Midsumma Dog Show; and JOY 94.9 broadcasting live from the Community Stage. In attendance will be Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, Minister Martin Foley and Midsumma festival champions Professor Kerryn Phelps AM and John Caldwell, with their respective partners.
The Main Stage will feature five hours of free entertainment with a great mix of festival favourites and emerging LGBTI talent including Dolly Diamond; Luigi Lucente; ABBAR; Kong’s Kings; Strictly Ballroom; and James Varnish – who will be singing the 2015 Midsumma anthem Connect.
Get to know your community at one of the 140 stalls in the Carnival Village including Australian Marriage Equality, Gay and Lesbian Tourism Australia (GALTA), Melbourne Rainbow Band, Beyondblue, Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives, Out Cast Theatre; and Points of Difference Events – just to name a few…
Stallholder activities include: Australia Post decorating a vintage postie bike and mailbox – to be auctioned at Midwinta; Sue and David from JOY 94.9 will attempt to set the world record for the most people shaking snowglobes; take a selfie at the Yarra Trams Glam Stop; look out for the shirtless Firefighter Calendar boys; or check out the Dykes on Bikes for your last chance to buy Pillion for Pride tickets.
As the day starts to fade, the Carnival Main Stage is taken over by an amazing team of DJs and bands to generate the ultimate summer soundtrack at T Dance. Grab a drink from the bar and watch the sun set over our beautiful city skyline, as Midsumma presents for the second year in a row, this free dance party in the park – the ultimate way to kick start your 3 weeks of Midsumma fun.
The 2015 Midsumma Festival runs from 18 January to 8 February. For more information, visit: www.midsumma.org.au for details.
Image: photo by Snapalicious