Adelaide’s craziest and most colourful street parade will kick off tomorrow night, bringing the city alive with an explosion of celebration to mark the official opening of the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2013. 

The Fringe Parade, which starts at 8.30pm will feature a stampede of all things Fringe, as spectacular floats glide and street performers strutt up King William St from North Terrace to Victoria Square. 

Thousands of people are expected to line King William St to witness the euphoria surrounding Adelaide’s busiest time of year. Fitting this year’s theme of Lit From Within, many of the floats have been sculptured from paper and cardboard, transforming them into a spectacular visual display of origami, multifaceted lanterns, giant illuminated box towers and a 3.5 metre illuminated kangaroo.

Pre-Parade entertainment will kick off at 7.00pm featuring street performers and the Roller Derby League of Adelaide getting their skates on up and down the parade route. The official parade, which is bracketed by fire, will kick off at 8.30pm with a Kaurna fire cememony. The parade will conclude with fireworks. 

Fringe Director Greg Clarke encourages people to continue the celebrations when the parade dies down, as many venues will open their doors to launch pop up eateries, new food spaces and entertainment spots exclusive to the Fringe period. 

“If you head to the Central Market area you’ll discover The Depot and La Boheme; down Hindley St you’ll find Freak Central; along North Terrace the Tuxedo Cat; in the centre of the city the Richmond Hotel and The Science Exchange; and in the East End The Garden Of Unearthly Delights and Gluttony,” he says.

If it’s all a bit too much excitement for you to fathom, hundreds of the shows are offering one off $5 tickets tomorrow night only. Now you’re in.

WHAT: Fringe Opening Parade
WHERE: Travelling south along King William St from North Terrace to Victoria Square
WHEN: Fri Feb 15, pre-parade entertainment starts from 7.00pm, parade starts at 8.30pm
TICKETS: tickets for shows are available from adelaidefringe.com.au

Check out what went down at last year’s Fringe Opening Parade below.