Oxford St drags up for Mardi Gras
Image: Maxi Shield
The main street of Darlinghurst will become a dragway this weekend, with The Main Drag 2013 taking over Oxford St on Saturday, February 23.
A proud initiative of the Darlinghurst and Surry Hills Business Partnership, the event will run from 10am to 6pm and will include a free show by drag queens in Taylor Square at 11am, a ‘drag bar crawl’ through Oxford St’s pubs from 11.30am to 4pm, and a pop-up dance party at Oxford Square from 4pm to 6pm.
Event producer Christopher McLaren said the day, which is supported by the City of Sydney Council, would involve local shops and businesses, as well as pedestrians along the strip.
“It’s a truly interactive event, so we’ll have drag performers going up and down the street doing impromptu performances, and we’ve got local businesses creating colourful window displays and handing out free product samples,” he said.
Mr McLaren said the cream of Sydney’s “drag crop” would entertain the crowds, including Maxi Shield, Krystal Kleer and Marie Claire.
The day will culminate in a dance party featuring a pedal-powered PA system propelled by “hunky men in tight white t-shirts pedalling their hearts out”.
“The crowd will be given water pistols so they can drench the boys’ shirts and make them see-through,” he said.
But it won’t all be fun and frivolity – Mr McLaren said the event also had a serious side.
“The Main Drag supports HIV/AIDS charity, the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation and we’ll have ten staff members on the ground, collecting money from the crowd with donation buckets,” he said.
The bars involved – the Oxford Hotel, Kinselas, Stonewall and the Colombian – will also have collection buckets located inside.
Bobby Goldsmith Foundation CEO David Riddell expressed his appreciation to The Main Drag organisers and participants.
“To everyone associated with The Main Drag, Bobby Goldsmith Foundation says an enormous thank you,” said Mr Riddell.
The Main Drag, which is an annual local event, was formerly known as Shop Till You Drop.
The event is an official part of the 2013 Sydney Mardi Gras calendar, which culminates in the Mardi Gras parade and party on Saturday, March 2.
For more information on The Main Drag, visit www.love2010.com.au
