Sun Oct 25, 2:12 am ET
SYDNEY (AFP) – Thousands sat down to breakfast on the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday after the iconic structure was closed to traffic and carpeted with grass for the first time for a giant picnic.
About 6,000 approved early risers were on the steel bridge from 6:30 am to take part in the two-hour event designed to showcase Sydney’s best food and outdoor lifestyle.
As accordion players and trumpeters provided the background music, those who had won tickets to the picnic in a random lottery munched on fruit, pastries, muesli, yoghurt, and the staple Australian breakfast spread Vegemite.
“It’s amazing to see the bridge in this perspective,” said Sydneysider Don Fuchs of the structure which is used by about 100,000 cars daily.
“Usually you sit in the car, you cross it, and that’s it.”
About 45,000 people had applied for tickets.
