MELBOURNE GAY EVENTS 2008

We are now celebrating Midsumma Festival in Melbourne and last Saturday – January 19 was the opening celebration or the carnival day.  

Unfortunately, the weather was really gloomy and it rained the whole day through. 

Early that morning, we had our exercise walk around the Botanical Garden (which took us around one hour to complete the walk around the park) and seeing all the activities going on in the Alexandra Gardens (as we passed through) – I realized it was the first day of Midsumma, and I totally forgot all about it.  So I quickly rearranged my plan of activities for the day.

Well as you can see below, despite the rain (not very cold though) the park was still filled with gays and lesbians with their friends and dogs, and the carnival on the rain continued with different activities lined up and with all the stalls and the give-aways.   There was this some sort of fiesta-festival happening amidst the downpour of rain - while on the other side of the river, the Melbourne Cup is also going on at The Rod Laver Arena.

    

 There was also two – actually three – different hottie contests (for gays, lesbians).  Impromtu.   Some of these hot guys and girls were picked up from the crowd and brought on stage for hottie contest.  And one of the guys, who is an actor in one of the local tv shows – joined and accidentally stripped naked infront of the audience – showing all his glory!  That was really a bit of a schock to the delight of everyone….  (the one in the middle). 

 And of course the ever present drag shows …  the audience just would not tire of drag shows here in Melbourne.   They were sooo camp and funny at the same time – and held that unifying effect among the audience.  I was sooo lucky I had this photo op with one of the Priscilla performer infront of the famous bus.