Melissa Hargraves
Australian comedian, television host and media personality Bob Downe joined local celebrities Maude Boat and Destiny Has Arrived to lead the 2013 Tropical Fruits parade through the streets of Lismore yesterday.
Maude Boat (aka Michael Gates) is debuting as festival director this year and told Echonetdaily that the experience has been ‘fantastic, darling, I have had the best time’.
The parade represents peace and equality with Maudie saying, ‘there is still a long way to go’.
‘This is a long-term commitment for me; I would rather be doing this for my community than anything else.’
This new year, the four-day gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex (GLBTI) event is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Tonight’s NYE party, at the Lismore showgrounds, features top Australian and international DJs as well as a cabaret and art show.
New Years Day begins with a pool party at the Lismore Memorial Baths, which is exclusively booked out for Tropical Fruits. As the sun sets on New Years Day the party continues back at the showgrounds for a chilled-out barbecue followed by further grooves into the night.
For more information and ticketing details go to www.tropicalfruits.org.au.
