LOVEPARADE ZONE

LOVEPARADE ZONE

More than half a million dance music fans have descended on German capital Berlin to take part in the annual LOVE PARADE.However, organisers of the techno festival had expected a much larger crowd - in 1999 the parade attracted 1.5 million people.This year (03), celebrity DJs including PETE TONG, FELIX DA HOUSECAT and PAUL VAN DYK are among 250 playing on more than 50 carnival floats.The Parade goes along the Strasse des 17. Juni, starting at opposite ends at the Gate and Ernst-Reuter-Platz and eventually ending at the Siegessaule (the very ethereal Victory Column Statue)for the “rally” at 6pm. Arriving at the Gate a couple of hours before the parade started meant that we could people watch and boy did we see some sights!! The predominantly European crowd meant that anything went, from the skimpiest outfit (sunflowers on nipples anyone!) to head to toe leather and fur. Amazing costumes, people of all ages (babies to granddads), all nationalities, all there for the same reason. The first float brought a massive cheer from the crowd and the fun began. It was non-stop dancing as each float stopped for about 15 minutes every
few metres.

Although the preamble to the Loveparade was dominated by discussions regarding financing, the event takes place as usual to the delight of all participants. 750,000 people follow some 30 floats.