Aussie Gay Mardi Gras jams Sydney

SYDNEY, March 3 (UPI) -- About 500,000 people jammed the streets of Sydney for the Australian city's 29th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade Saturday.

Organizers say 8,000 people took part in the parade of 117 floats that represented all areas of society.

Marchers included members of the New South Wales State Police force, the Rural Fire Service and lifeguards from Sydney's famed surfing beaches.

Also among the revelers were drag queens portraying Australian Prime Minister John Howard and the Opposition Labor Party leader, Kevin Rudd.

Despite a number of arrests for minor offenses, police reported the event was mostly peaceful.