IF you missed the Pesta Chingay and Lion Dance parade last year, be sure you’re free on Dec 27.
State Tourism Development, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said there would be 12 teams participating in the annual event.
“There will also be 10 lion dance teams, two dragon dance teams and a decorated dragon boat on wheels joining in the parade.
“Two school bands, from the St Xavier’s Institution and Union High School, will also be participating. They will be leading the parade,” he told a press conference at a hotel on Monday.
He added that the five finalists from the Miss Penang Pesta beauty pageant would also be joining the parade in five decorated trishaws.
“The chingay teams will also be decorating a trishaw each for a competition based on the 12 Chinese zodiac signs,” he said.
Law said the parade would begin at Padang Brown in Datuk Keramat at 7.30pm and go through Datuk Keramat Road, Penang Road, Burma Road, Transfer Road, Sri Bahari Road, Penang Road, Chulia Street, Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling and Light Street.
The event is co-organised by the Penang Government, Penang Wushu, Lion and Dragon Dance Association, Northern Malaysia Chingay Association, Penang Chingay Association and Seberang Prai Chingay Association.
It is expected to end at 11pm.
Law said more than 7,000 people turned up last year and more are expected this year, maybe up to 10,000.
He added that the original date for the parade was Dec 20 but it was changed due to the Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championships taking place that weekend.
The Star Online Thursday December 17, 2009
