After nearly a decade of working with The Laird to raise funds for JOY 94.9 and Thorne Harbour Health’s David Williams Fund – we’re hanging up our boots. Following the perpetual uncertainty around hosting large events due to COVID-19, the small partnership behind Northside Bizarre has had to make the unfortunate decision to retire the event.

 

We have loved being able to see Northside Bizarre grow to become a much-loved event that saw thousands flock to The Laird and its surrounds every spring. Northside Bizarre brought together so many of our various community tribes for a queer and kinky street festival and auction – from the BearBQ with VicBears Inc. to Dykes On Bikes Melbourne at cloak check to the various LGBTIQ+ sporting clubs battling it out for MasterBaker.

 

Plus, we can’t forget the countless people and businesses who supported the event over the years – including the volunteers, staff, performing artists, small businesses, media personalities, sponsors, and community organisations that kindly donated their time, goods, talent, and energy to see us raise tens of thousands of dollars to support our LGBTIQ+ communities and people living with HIV every year.

 

As our communities continue to recover after a tough couple of years, we hope to be in a better position in the future to potentially bring Northside Bizarre back when it can live up to its stellar reputation.

 

Until that time – stay fabulous, stay kinky, and let’s keep celebrating the rich diversity of our communities.