With over 10,000 people marching up Oxford Street in the parade watched by a crowd of over 300,000, and over 18,500 punters at the party, Saturday night's Sydney Mardi Gras was the biggest yet, say organisers. Police say there were pleased with the crowd on the night, making only about 29 arrests. Over 150 flouts paraded down central Sydney, lead by many of the original '78ers who protest marched in the first Mardi Gras Parade 30 years ago. Original 1978 marcher Diane Minnis told the Sydney Morning Herald she was glad the parades continue to get bigger and more colourful each year: "It makes being gay, lesbian, transsexual, etcetera, very visible and that's what we still need." Among the marchers for 2008 included 100 gay reverends, Sydney's Mayor Clover Moore, American lesbian comedienne Margaret Cho, dozens of Speedo-wearing surf-lifesavers, Wellington transgender icon Carmen and NZ's own Safe Sex Poster Boys. "I love my partner, I love our community, and I love Australia. That's what Mardi Gras is all about," said the creative director of the parade Graeme Browning. "Be safe, accept and respect all people and join hands as we celebrate 30 years of fabulousness." Olivia Newton John's hit Xanadu and and Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun were the highlight live performances at Saturday night's Mardi Gras Party. The event was a sell-out and all the dance arenas were packed until the event finished at 8am. Mardi Gras organiser Marcus Bourget told ABC News that Mardi Gras was a big money-spinner for Sydney: "We raise $45 million for the New South Wales economy each year - we're a fully self-funding festival – but the state has not given us a cent."