The Northern Rivers’ own LGBTIQ support and social group Tropical Fruits is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with a New Year’s festival that’s set to Shine.
However you choose to interpret that theme,’ Tropical Fruits Chair Brett Paradise says, ‘we truly dance upon the shoulders of giants, so come celebrate with us and be part of the ongoing history of Tropical Fruits and our LGBTIQ community.’
The Tropical Fruits New Year’s Festival is a four-day LGBTIQ celebration held in Lismore, with the New Year’s Eve Party and the New Year’s Day Recovery Party at the showgrounds, which are lovingly transformed by hundreds of volunteers.
Kristy McNeil, this year’s event coordinator says, ‘Our New Year’s festivals would not be possible without the generous contribution of our dazzling array of volunteers. Our vollies bring their enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to helping us create the wonderland we immerse ourselves in each year. In this, our sparkling 30th year, we invite all our vollies past and present to reunite and Shine as only you can.’
The festival we kicks off on December 29 with a street parade through the Lismore CBD ending at Lismore City Hall for an Opening Soiree.
Dykes on Bikes Sydney are also celebrating their 30th anniversary and will be roaring up the Pacific Highway to join in the parade for the first time.
Lyn Doherty, Sydney Dykes on Bikes president says, ‘Dykes on Bikes are absolutely chuffed at the idea of spending the New Year’s break with Tropical Fruits. What a fantastic way to celebrate both our birthdays, and don’t we look fabulous for our age.’
Festival events include three main parties: the New Year’s Eve party, New Year’s Day Pool Party and New Year’s Day Recovery Party.
NYE will include four feature dance floors with headliners DJs Grind and Toy Armada (direct from the USA) as well as top Australian DJs Sveta, Sandi Hotrod, Les Smith, DJ Ruby in the Dome and many, many more.
The main NYE Party also will feature radiant performances from the cabaret and glimmering works of LGBTIQ artists on exhibition.
Tickets go on sale from September 1 and are available here.
You can apply to volunteer here.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
