Led by the Widjibal Elders of the Bunjalung Nation, with children holding the Koori flag, the parade this year will make its way south along Cullen street past the Police Station where it will turn left and head down Cecil Street and around to the Hash Bowl Stage in Sativa Stadium for the Cannabis Law Reform Rally, speeches and MardiGrass Float Prize presentations. There is also a short cut down past Green Bank if you run out of puff! Just follow the GANJA FAERIES and the BIG JOINT!!

The Ganja Faeries celebrate the spirit of MardiGrass. They dance behind the Bundjalung people who traditionally welcome the protesters to their country each year. Their dance has itself become a tradition simply because the laws remain unacceptable to all self respecting ganja users, be they Bundjalung, faeries or otherwise.

Rally speeches from Bundjalung Elders, Michael Balderstone, Ganja Faeries and cannabis activists and law reformists from around the globe.

This is our twenty-fifth consecutive annual Rally for Cannabis Law Reform. We vowed to Rally every year on the first Sunday in May until we are no longer criminals for using this herb. Prohibition is an incitement, not a control! MardiGrass will become a Festival when we can celebrate the herb without fear of prosecution and persecution. When the Police have a float in the street parade behind the Ganja Faeries, Big Joint & POLITE, then we really will have a proper festival and celebration. In the meantime, this annual event is a POLITICAL PROTEST RALLY.

THE MARDIGRASS PARADE IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO JOIN THE PARADE AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR POT LAW REFORM.

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!

PARADE FLOATS

Get out your fabrics, banners, paint brushes and sewing machines to get ready fo the annual MardiGrass Parade Float Awards. Have a go at creating a float costume, banner, paper mache or sculpture about pot prohibition. Floats can be a vehicle for a powerful message about pot celebration and/or protest. We welcome floats that reflect our area, our people, our pride, our fun and festive spirit, and desire for a peaceful future. Law reform is the focus of MardiGrass and we encourage all to have a say! Prizes will be presented to the winning floats in Sativa Stadium after the Rally:

First prize of $1,000 cash

2^nd & 3^rd prizes Happy High Herbs gift vouchers of $250 & $100

Conditions:

Height – Must not exceed 3.2 metres from “the road”

Width – Must not exceed 2.4 metres

Length – Must not exceed 4.2 metres

Floats must be people or green powered. Floats can be a single person, or group, or a centrepiece of an on foot display.

Judging:

Judges will be announced on the day, and will be from the Happy Herb Company and the HEMP Embassy. A one to ten point score method will be adopted:

1. Pre-parade while assembling. Use of recycled materials, originality and punctuality
2. During Parade: Locomotion, costumes, power of the message, crowd response and overall effect

PROP AND COSTUME MAKING FOR SUNDAY PARADE

SPontanous Art Event #imaginorium @ 7 Sibley St (On the way to the skate park) DRop in and get creative with local makers of sculpture, puppets and fun. #imaginorium is building some fabulous props for this years protest parade on Sunday. EVer wanted to be a more colourful part of protest? Get your creative skates on to paint, sew, cut and bedazzle!! Happening throughout Friday and Saturday!