Montreal's first daytime gay-pride parade since 2004 pulled in a buoyant downtown crowd yesterday which organizers said exceeded 50,000 far above their earlier predictions of 30,000.
Many spectators showed up in family groups, basking under brilliant early-afternoon sunshine, smiling and often swaying to the punchy music.
They were packed as much as 15 deep in some spots along the 16-block downtown route, arrayed on the banks of a spectacular river of 1,500 marchers combining colour and movement.
For Juliette Galarada, almost 9 years old, "the costumes" not the crowd size proved the highlight.
The youngster delivered that verdict as the last of 70 groups finished their relaxed, one-hour saunter west along Rene Levesque Blvd. E.
The first large contingent 22 bikers from the Association des motocyclistes gais du Quebec, celebrating the group's 17th anniversary kick-started the event at 1:10 p.m. just east of the Jacques Cartier Bridge.
The final float crossed the finish line at St. Hubert St. at 3:04 p.m.
Any particular favourite for young Juliette?
She had, after all, an arresting range of choice. These included fabulous plumed headpieces and four parade leaders dressed to embody fire, earth, air and water.
She could also have chosen a half-dozen transvestites clad in tight neon-green gowns, or for that matter, their companions on an elaborate float equipped with a twirly water fountain a group of lithe young men wearing only the skimpiest of pink briefs.
"I loved them all," Juliette responded.
Her brother Lorenzo, 3 in September, smiled shyly but stayed mute.
"We don't have anything like this in Cuba," marvelled Olga Falcon, part of Juliette and Lorenzo's six-person family group. "This is special." (keep reading)
Many spectators showed up in family groups, basking under brilliant early-afternoon sunshine, smiling and often swaying to the punchy music.
They were packed as much as 15 deep in some spots along the 16-block downtown route, arrayed on the banks of a spectacular river of 1,500 marchers combining colour and movement.
For Juliette Galarada, almost 9 years old, "the costumes" not the crowd size proved the highlight.
The youngster delivered that verdict as the last of 70 groups finished their relaxed, one-hour saunter west along Rene Levesque Blvd. E.
The first large contingent 22 bikers from the Association des motocyclistes gais du Quebec, celebrating the group's 17th anniversary kick-started the event at 1:10 p.m. just east of the Jacques Cartier Bridge.
The final float crossed the finish line at St. Hubert St. at 3:04 p.m.
Any particular favourite for young Juliette?
She had, after all, an arresting range of choice. These included fabulous plumed headpieces and four parade leaders dressed to embody fire, earth, air and water.
She could also have chosen a half-dozen transvestites clad in tight neon-green gowns, or for that matter, their companions on an elaborate float equipped with a twirly water fountain a group of lithe young men wearing only the skimpiest of pink briefs.
"I loved them all," Juliette responded.
Her brother Lorenzo, 3 in September, smiled shyly but stayed mute.
"We don't have anything like this in Cuba," marvelled Olga Falcon, part of Juliette and Lorenzo's six-person family group. "This is special." (keep reading)
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