Pink Loerie attracts thousands

05 May 2008- South Africa- Thousands of people turned out to watch the eighth Pink Loerie Mardi Gras street parade through this Garden Route town on Saturday.

Not a protester was in sight - despite a memorandum delivered to the mayor by 400 people, asking for a referendum to determine whether the town wanted the gay festival at all.

Event co-ordinator Juan Lerm had promised Mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies that paraders would cover up.

There were lots of muscled torsos, but only one pair of cutout trousers (baring a rear set of tattooed cheeks) slipped the attentions of Pink Police marshals.

Local resident Lance Arundel, who previously marched as Archbishop of the Moon, came as Mr Bean this year. Modestly dressed in suit and tie, Arundel was enthroned on a sofa strapped to the roof of a Toyota, and waved to spectators while clutching steering wheel, mop and teddy bear.

Asked how he felt about being told to cover up he replied: "It's the law now and I think it's wholly appropriate."

There were some stern and bemused spectators, but most laughed and whooped at the more outrageous costumes. Floats were held up as onlookers took photographs and dug out coins for Animal Welfare.

Pink Police in black T-shirts handed out suckers and shocking pink feathers to the crowd.

Upstairs balconies of Tin Roof (formerly Stones) and Zanzibar were jam-packed with revellers.

Winners of gay and drag beauty pageants strutted their stuff, cabaret star Dainty Delischia was her usual irrepressible big-hair cupid-lip self, there were angels with pink feather wings, lots of feathered headdresses, and a phalanx of "Sexy Semen" sailors in identical skin-tight uniforms.

Miss Mardi Gras winner Enigma, and her companion Logan, travelled in a handsome cab drawn by burly men.

Pink decorations on shops and restaurants were more understated this year. Many businesses reported being threatened with a boycott if they supported the Mardi Gras.

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