Mardi Gras is back with a bang! Revellers take to Sydney streets to party into the early hours of the morning after annual parade

Partygoers took to the streets of Sydney following the city’s annual pride parade and, while spirits were high, there are more than likely a few sore heads this morning.

As the confetti and glitterhave set on another Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras after tens of thousands partied through the LGBTQI community’s night of nights.

More than 11,000 people marched and danced their way through inner Sydney for the 47th Parade.

However, this morning litter filled Oxford street and early risers went about their day and some revvlers made their way home after a long night of celebrations.

The parade was labelled a ‘success’ by NSW Police despite despite four men were arrestested.

NSW Police said during a high-visibility policing operation involving general and specialist officers led to the arrest of a 57-year-old man on Denham St about 9.20pm, after allegedly attempting to manoeuvre his vehicle around Mounted Unit officers to get through a police road closure.

The man also allegedly threatened a news cameraman during the arrest.

He taken to Surry Hills Police Station, before being taken to hospital for a pre-existing condition.

The man is expected to be charged with multiple offences, including two counts of assaulting a police officer without causing bodily harm.

A 33-year-old man was also arrested about 9.45pm for the alleged assault of a security guard on Bourke Street.

The man was taken to Surry Hills Police Station, where he was charged with common assault and hindering or resisting a police officer, and granted bail to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on April 10.

Police arrested a 48-year-old man about 10.25pm after he allegedly inappropriately touched a woman and punched a man who was with her.

The 48-year-old was taken to Surry Hills, where he was charged with sexually touch another person without consent, and common assault.

He was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court on today. 

A 22-year-old man was also arrested on Crown Street about 10.45pm, after allegedly climbing onto a police bus which was transporting police employees who participated in the parade. The man was issued an infringement notice for travelling on a moving vehicle.

Operation Commander Assistant Commissioner Rod Smith said the overall behaviour of crowds at the Mardi Gras parade was “pleasing”.

Earlier in the evening, tens of thousands of people lined Oxford Street and craned necks from rooftops and balconies to catch a glimpse of 181 floats taking part in the 47th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.

NSW Police said a high-visibility policing operation involving general and specialist officers led to the arrest of a 57-year-old man on Denham St about 9.20pm, after allegedly attempting to manoeuvre his vehicle around Mounted Unit officers to get through a police road closure.

 

 

The man also allegedly threatened a news cameraman during the arrest.

A sea of fluorescent colour, eye-capturing costumes and thousands of people just looking to join the fun overtook central Sydney well after the parade drew to a close.

Anthony Albanese had earlier marched for the third time as prime minister while Deputy Premier Prue Car was among several state ministers joining public servants in NSW government floats.

Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe made an appearance this year after she brought the parade to a temporary halt two years ago when she lay down on the road in front of a float. 

Mardi Gras was a celebration of how far the community had come while sadly marking an uptick in verbal abuse, threats of violence and assaults, Equality Australia said.

‘It’s a reminder that for many people in our communities, particularly trans people, such targeted acts of hate are a year-round occurrence and that despite our gains we are still fighting for equal rights and protections in the law,’ chief executive Anna Brown said.

Pubs and clubs in central Sydney kept their doors open to welcome partygoers and streets were closed off as well behaved crowds spilled out over the pavement.

The city’s hospitality industry is making the most of the night with party’s at venues across the city welcoming locals along with those those from interstates and overseas. 

The most sought-after ticket? The eight-hour Mardi Gras Party rave at Moore Park, where more than 10,000 are expected to party to dawn.