IT WAS a different kind of Mardi Gras this year, but among the 5,000 participants were a contingent of kings and queens from Newcastle Pride.
The group travelled down to the Sydney Cricket Ground for the slightly downsized Covid-safe Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, moved from iconic Oxford Street.
"The stadium was sold out within social distancing rules and it felt like a good-sized crowd," Newcastle Pride's Ivan Skaines said.
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"The people who paid to get in and watch didn't just come for the spectacle, but were an excellent representation of the queer community.
"And it meant we got our chance to shine."
Newcastle Pride's theme for the year was '2020 - what a drag' and featured stylised drag kings and queens accompanied by a giant martini glass - the Quarantini.
The group, who had practiced a choreographed dance for the event, walked in to Pink's song Raise your glass. It was a big moment for the Newcastle pride group after having to cancel their local festival due to the pandemic.
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Lee-Anne McDougall, president of Newcastle Pride, described the night as 'spectacular'.
"It was amazing to represent our incredible region and while it wasn't the traditional parade that we know and love it was still quite amazing," she said.
"It was important for the community to come to together, without fear or judgement and show that we can rise above in hard times."
This was a sentiment echoed by Mr Skaines.
"It is hard to underestimate the impact of the pandemic and what different people are going through with social isolation, job uncertainty and border closures," he said.
"It was important for us to keep our name out there and come together.
"And our festival will be back this year."
For all those who couldn't attend the downsized parade in Sydney the Lass O'Gowrie hosted a live viewing night followed by a silent disco which went through to 3am.
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