Party Cancelled for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
In an open statement, organizers for the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival in Sydney said, “It’s with very heavy hearts we must advise that Party will no longer take place in 2022.”
The Mardi Gras Festival team in Sydney has worked with New South Wales (NSW) Health, the state government, and venues at all stages of planning for our entire Festival, however, the main Party is a ‘no-go’ under the state’s Public Health Order.
Apparently, this phase of the pandemic remains volatile, and organizers of the annual event say that the health and safety of the local community is their top priority. The venue for the event is mostly indoors with dancing, plus with an attendance of more than 10,000 people that means it is a high risk for COVID transmission.
Although March 5th is still several weeks away, due to Party’s large scale, the Mardi Gras Festival team had to make the very tough call now, not only for the sustainability of the event in future years but also for the organization, and so that artists and partygoers can make alternate plans.
There will be other opportunities for us to come together at the Mardi Gras Festival. COVID-Safe plans and procedures are in place to ensure other key events, including community favorites, Fair Day and the Parade, can still go ahead as planned. Most of our events are outdoor and/or seated, meaning they fit under the Health Order and are deemed lower risk. Organizers will continue working with NSW Health to ensure that all the remaining Festival events fall within current COVID safety guidelines.
For ticket-holders to Party, refunds will automatically be processed via Ticketek. Expect funds to be returned to your account within 7-10 business days. If you’d like to donate a portion of your ticket value to Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, you will help organizers offset the losses related to this year’s Party and see that the organization can continue to provide fun community events for years to come.
Expect announcements next about the event’s line-up and the long-awaited return of an iconic October party later this year!
SOURCE: Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
