2018 Sydney Mardi Gras

This float and celebration of the Australian pup community has been a long time coming. In fact its inception started about 20 months ago. While we had opposition from a small pup group, the community won out in the end and was given the chance of hosting the inaugural community float this year by the organizers of Mardi Gras to participate in the 40th anniversary of the pride celebrations.

We went with 101 Dalmatians themed and to fit the theme of the fortieth anniversary we named it 40 Dalmatians & Other Puppies. It was a huge success, We were allotted 80 marchers and not only did we have 80 marchers but also a waiting list. This made it the largest gathering of pups and handlers in one place that Australia has ever had!

We also got on the national television broadcast which was amazing, even read out our float description! unlike previous years of pup floats run by a Sydney pup pack that regularly got jumped over and not mentioned or viewed for more than a split second.

I am super proud of my fellow organizers and volunteers who this float would not have been possible and helped make this a milestone event for the pup community here in Australia. the PAH’s from every state in Australia and some New Zealand representation was amazing, volunteers from all over chipped in financially and with man-hours to help make this a reality. It wasn’t a one-person or one-group job, it was truly a community effort and it showed.

So proud of every one of you and looking forward to next years!