The annual Pride March / London Mardigras Party is always a great day to look forward to. With friends in tow we set off for the Pride march at Hyde Park. The first thing that hits you is the noise, the cacophony of whistles and screams, rainbow flags and outrageous costumes.

The weather all week had been scorching and had promised to be good for Saturday. As the march kicked off around mid day the heaven's opened for a brief downpour, sending drag queens scurrying for shelter. Perhaps Janet Young and her mob had been out doing a rain dance. Fortunately the shower what brief and to the beat of the drum the parade carried on along Piccadilly.

The crowd from It's Marvelous performed a synchronised dance routine. GMFA (Gay Men Fighting AIDS) and Stonewall were also prominent. The size of the parade was as big as ever. For all you boys who just go to the park you really are missing a crucial part of the day's activities.

We had the luxury of a champagne lunchtime party in Islington, so we jumped ship at Trafalgar square. Something's have to be done in style darling. Once we were sufficiently topped up it was off to the park. Organising a group of 12 queens is always a trial but somehow we managed to arrive en masse.

I must admit I had a pressing engagement with the gorgeous Lukas Ridgeston and Johan Paulik on the Prowler stand. These Gods of the silver screen, well video are just as gorgeous in the flesh. The bitches hadn't aged either. I was expecting to see this middle aged man with greying hair but time has stood still for our Lukas, although he was shorter than expected. I suppose everyone is the same height in bed. :-)

Balans were running the Champagne tent. Just what the doctored ordered and a chance to sit down and soak up the atmosphere. It really gives you a buzz seeing so many gay men and lesbians enjoying themselves. This year out of the three Mardigras' the atmosphere seem to be just right.

Once we had powdered our noses, it was off to the Trade tent or a big of jigging around. Muscle Marys adorned the tent, comparing disco tits and tanned. Fab. We dived into the mass of gorgeous dancing queens. The Heaven tent was just as heaving.

Then off to the Dreamscape tent. A huge inflatable LunaLand thingy in vivid rainbow colours. Psychedelic. I wanted to jump up and down and look for loose change down the side. We were tempted to come back for a chill out at the end of the afternoon. Strongbow has a another disco tent next door. I'm not sure cider mixed with champagne but you have to try.

Mid afternoon we bumped into Terry George and the Mr. Gay UK contestants, 10 strapping lads from around the country who could each equally wear the crown with pride, by kind to animals and wish for world peace.

Elsewhere in the park, there was Line Dancing, the ever popular Radio 1 Dance tent, lots of stalls full of merchandise and a huge funfair allowing you to really mix your alcohol. I'm sure I saw people being catapulted into the air but by late afternoon everything was becoming a happy glaze.

Time was also flying by. We made the traditional run for the mainstage as Steps performed. Mel B looked good is all that rubber. I thought about sharing a Big Brother style Jacuzzi with the Boyz from Five and A1, but realised I was being ridiculous.

We staggered home as the end of day, got changed and headed off to The Fridge for Love Muscle and Giant respectively.

The general conclusion was that it was a great day out. As always these things are over before you know it and its impossible to get to see everything. We can therefore only look forward to next years event hoping it is even big and better than ever.

Links
Official London Mardigras web site.
Photographs from Brighton and Hove Pride 2001