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The Nimbin Hemp Embassy would like to thank all the villagers who supported us in many ways to send the Gunja Faeries and the Big Joint to march in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade this year. They were greeted by shouts of 'mull up faeries' and roars of approval for the big joint as they danced and galloped, in richly hued greens and matching bustles along the parade route (which went at breakneck speed). With 7000 people marching, and 1200 marshalls to move it along, it was a huge production we were honoured to be part of. And we scrubbed up well. With just two weeks notice, we had a float and a dance troupe dressed to proudly march alongside the traditionally fabulous and absolutely outrageous creations of the Sydney Mardi Gras. The float also featured lighting, including a strobe, a smoke machine which blew smoke out of the rainbow-coloured joint over the faeries, and a big sound system blasting out Dougie's original 'Tetra Hydra Cannabinol'.
However, getting the joint and the Gunja Faeries to Sydney was an expensive logistical nightmare but nevertheless important to represent medicinal cannabis. We could not have done it without the help of the Nimbin community, which rose to the occasion once again. Thank you deeply, all of you, for your help, equipment, food, accommodation, pot and money. The Gunja Faeries' cash donations were gratefully received and helped to meet the costs of bridge and tunnel tolls coming into Sydney, meals and public transport.
It's now time to focus on our own MardiGrass. Unfortunately, it usually boils down to a few volunteers, who have been involved for many years, helped by enthusiastic backpackers who happen to be here at the time. The MardiGrass doesn't seem to attract local volunteers, for a variety of reasons. A shame really, because if it attracted the support that the Sydney Mardi Gras does from the gay community, cannabis may have been re-legalised by now. This is our tenth year of demanding cannabis law reform at a festival with zilch funding. It gets bigger each year without the advertising budget enjoyed by other festivals. You might hate it, living in a town that has a MardiGrass. You might even blame all your problems on it. But the fact is you are here and Nimbin is famous for its MardiGrass. If the town pulled together for the influx of visitors every year it would be of benefit for all to have a well co-ordinated festival and stop the money draining out of the village to ring ins who follow the crowds.
We'd like to keep the food local this year. Can you or your group or family set up a stall to raise money? Are you concerned about the rubbish? Do you have a good idea on how to manage it? What about parking? Perhaps you have an area near town which will fit in cars that can earn you some revenue over the festival weekend. Would you like to dance in the streets? Join the Gunja Faeries and make a costume, all are welcome! Carry the big joint? Or perhaps you could contribute something new to the MardiGrass. For the tenth anniversary, it would timely to have the support of the village in some way. It has gone beyond what some called a drug festival and has almost become a mainstream festival included in many tourist guides across Australia and Europe.
Inez
4 March 2002
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