Over the weekend, we checked out the Surry Hills Festival which is a day long food, beer and music fest in our local community, or council as they are called here. We thought it was going to be a little neighborhoody affair...which I guess it was, if 90,000 people live in your neighborhood.Nonetheless, it was a pretty autumn Saturday afternoon in Prince Alfred Park where the fest took place. There was a dog parade, 6 music/performance stages, farm animals (where Ziggy first learned Shetland ponies don't ever get big), lots of booths selling what-nots, and tons-o-food. A beverage company was giving out free cans of energy drinks, so it was fun watching everyone in line at the port-o-lets, bouncing up and down, bladders full of Red Bull and Tooheys.
Interesting to see the contrasts between this festival and the street fairs in NYC. The fact that it took place in a big park was a plus, as was the emphasis on live acts, both music and theater, and some amusing fashion shows. Both fairs in Sydney and NYC seem to sell a lot of panties and socks. If it weren't for these fairs, we'd all be walking around barefoot and, well, you get the idea...One of the more touching moments was when a 12-year-old kid won an air guitar contest. He came up to accept his prize and simply said "All o' you can fuck off!" His parents laughed, clapped and seemed so proud. Guess this is what Aussies mean when they celebrate being a Larrikin.
