Carnival crowd kick off Midsumma

The banks of Birrarung Marr sparkled Sunday with a rainbow of community spirit, as Melbourne’s Midsumma Festival launched the first day of the 2013 program, with the annual Carnival and T Dance events.

As the festival entered its 25th year, the LGBTI community, along with their friends and families, embraced the colourful atmosphere.  

It’s believed as many as one hundred thousand people packed the edges of the Yarra River’s cultural precinct.

Stallholders informed, entertained and fed festival patrons, while classic amusement rides and attractions, including giant aqua balls and a Ferris wheel, delighted young and old.

After a notable absence in 2012, Carnival favourite Dulcie’s Dog Show returned, presenting tongue-in-cheek awards to dogs and their owners on the Community Stage.

Adding to the celebrations, Victorian Health Minister David Davis announced the introduction of rapid HIV testing in Victoria – a first for Australia.

Melbourne based GLBTI community radio station, JOY94.9, broadcasted live from Carnival 2013.

JOY94.9 General Manager Conrad Browne told MCV the success of the annual event was a promising start to the Midsumma Festival season.

“JOY 94.9 was delighted to host the Community Stage at Midsumma Carnival and present a great line up of performers, community groups and more to a great crowd at Speaker’s Corner,” he said.

“The four hour broadcast was great; thanks to the wonderful JOY volunteers who helped pull it all together,”

As the day progressed into night, there were no signs of the party slowing, as T Dance summoned roaring applause from the eager crowd, as a variety of DJ’s, including Ruby Rose and Midsumma DJ search competition winner DJ Emili Oh, took to the Main Stage.

Midsumma Festival Manager Monique Thorpe said the first day of the festival was a great success and enjoyed by all.

“Midsumma would like to thank all of the punters for being on their best behaviour and looking so glamorous,” she said.

“On the Main Stage, all of the performers blew us away... it’s nice to have a Carnival where not everyone is sunburnt the next day,”

“Midsumma would like to thank the 100 hundred plus volunteers for making the day run so smoothly - Carnival is the first day of the festival, make sure you get along and see the visual, performing and community events throughout the next three weeks,” Thorpe said.

Midsumma Festival presents a number of parties, activities and performing and visual art acts throughout Melbourne until February 3. For more information visit midsumma.org.au