Hay is home of the biggest human rainbow

Hay’s Rainbow on the Plains Festival now holds the national record for the biggest human rainbow, after snatching the record from the Victorian town of Daylesford. Image: Brett Naseby

Hay secured a national record for the biggest human rainbow at the weekend, one of many highlights of the three-day Rainbow on the Plains festival.

The successful attempt was held at Hay Park on Saturday afternoon during the festival’s Fair Day and was supported by 446 people, beating the previous record of 405 held by Daylesford’s ChillOut Festival.

Other highlights included hosting the Mr Gay Pride Australia competition, showcasing the largest Mardi Gras street parade since its inception in 2017 with more than 35 entries, including a giant bubble canon by major sponsor De Bortoli’s Wines, and attracting a large contingent of the Melbourne and Sydney chapters of Dykes on Bikes.

Founding board members, Krista Schade, Kerry Aldred and Kerri Mijok were honoured by being named patrons of the festival.

Dion Alexander was named the 2022 Mr Gay Pride Australia and will now represent Australia at the Mr Gay World event.

The competition aims to find and mentor future leaders in the LGBTQIA+ community.

The six finalists travelled to Hay and undertook the final challenges and tasks involved in the competition. They visited Hay’s senior citizens at Haydays and kids at Hay Pre-School.

Hay Councillor Jenny Dwyer and RoTP Board member Kerri Mijok were part of the nine judges who formed the panel.

“To the people of Hay and the amazing team at Rainbow on the Plains thank you so much for welcoming us into your absolutely fabulous community,” Dion said.

“To say that I have left Hay with a fuller heart is an understatement.

“Your community has shown all of us what it really looks like to have a community who doesn’t leave anybody behind.

“I definitely felt the Hay love and am now much more determined than ever to keep championing for the LGBTQIA+ community.”

The festival was officially launched at the Rainbow on the Greens event at Hay Services Club on Friday night where the 354 guests enjoyed performances by Kylie Auldist and drag queens for TVs Ru Paul’s Drag Race Down Under, Season 2.

Anthony Slattery’s fireworks completed the evening with another stunning display.

Across the bridge, South Hay Hotel hosted a sell-out drag bingo and trivia night on Friday as well.

Following Saturday’s colourful street parade, 800 people attended BayWa r.e’s Fair Day at Hay Park which featured Mr Gay Pride public speaking heats, market stalls, live music by Me & Mrs Jones, drag performances, kids activities and radio broadcast by youth radio (Deni) The EndFM.

Hay Youth Taskforce raised $520 in their ‘Dunk a Local Drag’ event at Fair Day which we be held by HMG Inc for youth events at future festivals. The taskforce also organised two under 18s roller discos on Saturday night, with the support of Glow Roller Disco (Narrandera).

The full day concluded with the Freedom Ball at Hay Services Club in the evening, attended by 325.

Entertainment was provided by 90s pop sensation Joanne who wowed the crowd, including a belting version of her hit “Jackie”. Zain Mitchlin performed at his third festival, alongside Melbourne-based DJs and drag performances by visiting kings and queens.

Hay Lions hosted the inaugural women’s AFL Pride Cup on Sunday afternoon, the official wind-down of the weekend. Hay took on Woorinen Tigers (Hay 5.4-34 Woorinen 10.5-65).

The Hay team was coached by Hay Shire Council General Manager, David Webb and the day was supported by Wellways.

ABC conducted interviews across the weekend to be used in its coverage of Sydney World Pride 2023 and NSW State Library photographers captured the event for the state’s archives as part of the upcoming exhibition Pride (R)evolution.

Hay Mardi Gras Inc (HMC) formed in 2017 and hosted its first Rainbow on the Plains Festival in March 2018.

A second successful festival was held in 2019 before Covid forced the cancellation of the 2020 event, just weeks before it was scheduled to be held.

Early this year the Board decided to move the festival dates to the last weekend in November as part of Social Inclusion Week. The Festival was made possible by major sponsors and funders De Bortoli Wines, Hay Services Club, BayWa r.e, Transgrid and the Foundation for Regional and Rural Renewal.

The 2022 Board Members were Kerri Mijok, Will Miller, Brett Boulton, Jade Auldist and Krista Schade. New members, Brandon Burns and Wyatt Morriss to join Will, Brett and Jade to organise the 2023 event next November.

“I cannot be prouder of what this festival has achieved and what it means to people,” retiring board member, Krista Schade said.

“I can step back with a full heart and know the new Board will be the best custodians of this concept I could wish for.”

Fellow founding board member, Kerri Mijok agrees and said to see the festival concept being embraced was an overwhelming feeling.

“To see how big this event is going to be under the new board is also very overwhelming,” she said.

“I’m so proud to have been part of this amazing event.”

One of the key organisers of the 2022 festival, Will Miller said feedback from visitors was that they felt at home, safe and are already planning a return trip to explore the town and region.

“The success of the biggest rainbow cemented for the local LGBTQIA+ community that we have the best allies in the country, and we should be proud of that,” he said.

“Hay’s community should be extremely proud of the love and support they showed for all local and visiting LGBTQIA+ people.”

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