In a major coup for Bathurst, an upcoming event at Keystone 1889 will feature as part of SBS's inaugural live coverage of Sydney's Mardi Gras parade.
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Bathurst's Mardi Gras party, scheduled for Saturday, February 29, will be broadcast on SBS via a live cross to showcase how the event is celebrated in regional areas.
Event organiser Jonathan Hosking, who is well known for his drag queen alter ego 'Betty Confetti,' said the live coverage will broadcast Bathurst's LGBTQIA+ community to a larger audience.
"For the first time ever, audiences across Australia will have the opportunity to see how we celebrate Mardi Gras in the Central West," Hosking said.
"We only found out last Friday that we'd been selected for a SBS live cross, and the event has already gone off online."
In the week since the event was announced, more than 200 people have registered to attend the event.
"We've virtually reached capacity already, and it's great to see so many people get on board at such short notice, as it shows how accepting Bathurst is of the LGBTQIA+ community," Hosking said.
"This event will be family-friendly, and it's especially pleasing to see adults and their children on the guest list."
Hosking said the theme of this year's Mardi Gras, 'What Matters,' will be reflected in the significance of Bathurst hosting a prominent LGBTQIA+ event.
"A lot of people from major cities often ask me how I survive as a gay person in the Central West, and the reality is that there's a lot of acceptance for the LGBTQIA+ community here," he said.
"The response to this event has shown that there's so many people in Bathurst who are supporting of the LGBTQIA+ community."
Hosking will be performing as 'Betty Confetti' on the night alongside fellow drag queens 'Khora Clinic' and 'Freeda Tuck.'
"There will also be live music from Sammy Taylor, a DJ spinning all the greatest gay hits and live coverage of the Sydney parade," he said.
Keystone 1889 owner Trish Carr said the event will help raise Bathurst's profile as an events location.
"We're excited to open our doors for a lot of fun on the night," Ms Carr said.
"There's a Mardi Gras-themed cocktail menu in the works, and we want to make sure everyone feels included."
The event is scheduled for a 6pm start, and is open to all ages.