The 2000 Adelaide Fringe was held from 25 February - 19 March. The theme was "independence, freedom and fun."
 
The 2000 Fringe covered three major precincts - East End, the West End (at the Living Arts Centre) and a South precinct.
 
Barbara Allen Wolke, Artistic Director, stated "With an event that began in the rebellious '60s it's bursting into the next century with an up to date style of entertainment for everybody."
 
This Fringe was dedicated to Fringe Patron Don Dunstan for his alternative vision of social justice and cultural diversity for South Australia which continues to live on in the Fringe.
 
A total of 539 companies were included in the program. This comprised of 432 companies in the main program and 107 South Australian companies who participated in the inaugural Fresh Bait program.

Of these, 75 were international companies from countries far afield as USA, Canada, UK, New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, Germany, Italy, South Korea, South Africa, West Africa, Slovenia, Philippines and Greece.

This made for not only the biggest program ever but also the most culturally and creatively diverse.

Barbara Allen, Artistic Director, commented "This is my last Fringe in Adelaide and I'm happy that Fringe 2000 is a big international event with a popular following in Adelaide. It is debt free with its own box office FringeTix, has an innovative electronic infrastructure using the internet, and offers its biggest and best program ever."
 
Key Highlights from the 2000 Fringe:

More than 2000 ticketed events, over 90 visual art exhibitions and 107 Fresh Bait performances.

Audience attendances were at an all-time high with more than 860,000 people attending events, performances and exhibitions across the city and the suburbs.

The Opening Night Parade and Party, held on Friday 25 February, was the biggest parade and longest parade route ever!

This year also saw the inaugural Cabaret Festival and the commitment that this will become an annual event

Adelaide Fringe 2000 was smoke-free. This included all indoor and outdoor performances that attract families and children.

In addition, Adelaide Fringe 2000 provided Alcohol Go Easy venues. These venues promoted the responsible service and consumption of alcohol through our Alcohol Go Easy initiatives. Also included in the program were alcohol-free events.

Sources:
2000 Fringe Guide
2000 Fringe Program Facts