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Nimbin, just inland from Byron Bay in far northern New South
Wales is home to a thriving counter-culture and is a favourite
destination of travellers seeking eco-friendly and alternative
lifestyle at any time of year. Shops and houses are painted
in lurid psychedelic swirls; mellow, dreadlocked hippies front
music and craft shops. For a truly mind-bending experience
though, people of all ages, backgrounds and persuasions descend
upon this tiny town towards the end of April/ beginning of
May for the annual Mardi Grass Festival.
Events
Attended by more than 10,000 people, the festival kicks off
every year with the Kombi Konvoy. A winding trail of
decorated Kombi vans makes its way from nearby Lismore and
is led by the Olympic torch bearer who, on arrival in Nimbin,
lights the eternal flame in memory of the victims of drug
prohibition policies. And from these beginnings spirals a
weekend of completely kooky events including a Hemp Harvest
Ball and Mardi Grass Parade lead by fire dancers,
jugglers, drummers, poets, musicians and fairies.
Belying popular belief that grass causes you to lose your
motivation, the Hemp Olympics sees participants running
in joint-passing relays, demonstrating their skill at bong-throwing
and rolling joints in a matter of seconds. And for the "real"
sporting heroes, the Growers Iron Person Event has
competitors running up steep hills with heavy bags of fertiliser.
The event ends with the Cannabis Cup, to which coveted
tickets are raffled over the course of the preceding few days.
The lucky winners sample a selection of the finest grass,
from which they will eventually select a winner. For those
who don' t get lucky with a ticket - don't worry. There's
plenty out there to get you - and keep you - in chilled-out
bliss.
History of the Mardi Grass
Traditionally the home of the Bundjalung tribe of
Aborigines, a century of logging and the introduction of cattle
had severely depleted Nimbin's resources and left it on the
brink of ruin - until a group of alternative students arrived
and chose the town as the site for Aquarius Festival of
1973. From these unimpressive beginnings has grown a colourful,
vibrant, environmentally aware and happily subversive community
that began actively campaigning against drug prohibition laws
in the 1980s and hosted the first Mardi Grass in 1993.
Despite the non-stop entertainment and readily available
weed, organisers are quick to point out that this event is
not just about getting stoned and seeing the world through
kaleidoscope eyes. There is a political purpose, and what
it's really about is policy reform and the legalisation of
cannabis. The police work in co-operation with organisers
to ensure its harmonious running, tolerating the open defiance
of current laws, healthcare experts are on hand to address
concerns surrounding the use of cannabis and politicians and
academics attend seminars and talks in the lead up to the
event. |
