By Clare Colley
It may not have reached the status of Mardi Gras but, when it comes to passion, the organisers of Canberra's queer cultural festival Spring Out say they have even more than their Sydney counterparts.
For the first time the annual festival, in its 15th year, will span the entire month of November beginning on Saturday with the "much-loved" fair day hosted by the AIDS Action Council at Westlund House, Acton.
Philippa Moss, Leanne Staggard and Mat Knobel get ready for the SpringPut Queer Festival.Credit: Jay Cronan
The fair will lead a packed calendar of events including the annual bush dance, a bake off, "big gay" champagne breakfast, women's dance and concert from Canberra's LGBTIQ choir Qwire.
For those looking for more cultural pursuits the festival will include a screening of Pride as part of the British Film Festival, a production of Scandalous Boy at the Street Theatre and La Cage Aux Folles at the ANU Arts Centre.
And while Spring Out might not have a street parade to rival Mardi Gras, Saturday's fair day will feature a pet parade at 2:30pm which people take seriously, according to committee member Mat Knobel.
Fellow committee member Leanne Staggard said the festival was uniquely Canberran.
"When people think of Mardi Gras they think of the parade and we don't have that but we're not trying to be Mardi Gras," she said.
"The festival really brings people out of the woodwork it encourages them to get out and come together."
Another first for this year's festival will be a range of events embracing Canberra's gender diverse community including short films exploring the infinite possibilities of gender and the A Gender Agenda (AGA) fete day and trivia night.
Other new events will target young people in the community including a disco, roller derby, dance party and pop-up events.
"This year we've tried to include more events for kids and youth and the gender diverse," Ms Staggard said.
"It's about us branching out and involving the wider community to join the events as much as it is about celebrating our community."
Previously the festival ran for a fortnight, but Mr Knobel said organisers felt there was room for it to grow after positive feedback from previous years.
He said far from any backlash the organisers had noticed even more support with major sponsors Telstra, Her Canberra, The Street Theatre, Typeyard Design and Advertising and Fuse Magazine.
"It's the biggest one in our history… and it's definitely something that's growing," Mr Knobel said.
AIDS Action Council executive director Philippa Moss said 30 volunteers were helping out for fair day and about 50 stalls were expected to spread out on the lawn outside Westlund Hall.
Fair day, hosted by the AIDS Action Council, will begin at noon until 5pm at Westlund House, Acton.
A full program of events is available at www.springout.com.au