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The following is issued on behalf of the Islands District Council:
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), a large-scale sea and street parade cum carnival will be held by the Islands District this Sunday (September 20). Members of the public are welcome to join and share the joyful celebration of the anniversary.
The chairman of the Islands District Organising Committee for Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Establishment of the PRC and Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games, Mr Leung Siu-tong, together with the members of the organising committee, met the media today (September 18) to give details of the programme.
He said, "This is the largest-ever sea and street parade in the Islands District. The event will feature three major components including a sea parade, a street parade and a variety show. It is estimated that around 15,000 people will participate in the event. Through this event, we hope to share the joyfulness of the anniversary and display the uniqueness of Islands District to the public."
The Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Pamela Tan, District Officer (Islands), Mr Byron Lam, and Islands District Council Chairman, Mr Daniel Lam, will officiate at the ceremonies to launch the sea parade.
The ceremony to launch the sea parade will start at 3pm at Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade near the Avenue of Stars. After the ceremony, 60 special vessels including a yacht, fishing boats, dinghies, ferries and a fireboat of the Fire Services Department will set off from Tsim Sha Tsui, pass through Tsing Yi, Ma Wan and Lantau Island and proceed to Tung Chung Development Pier.
The ceremony to launch the street parade will start at 3.45pm at Man Tung Road Park in Tung Chung. A fleet of almost 100 distinctive vehicles, such as antique cars, motorcycles, bicycles and open-top buses, will drive along Man Tung Road and Ying Hei Road, then proceed to Tung Chung Development Pier.
Performers from various district organisations will also boost the atmosphere of the street parade with cultural performances, decorated floats, and dragon and lion dances. It is estimated that 400 people will join the street parade.
The event will be followed by a National Day celebration ceremony cum variety show at 5.45pm at Tung Chung Development Pier, which will be officiated by the Secretary for Environment, Mr Edward Yau. Renowned singers, district organisations and students from primary and secondary schools and kindergartens will participate in the variety show.
A switch-on ceremony for the "Islands District Festive Lighting" will be held that evening to launch the district's festive lighting decorations, which will add to the joyful celebration of the anniversary.
This event is jointly organised by the Organising Committee mentioned above and the Tourism, Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment Hygiene Committee of Islands District Council, co-organised by the Islands District Office, eight rural committees of the Islands District, Festival Celebration Organising Committee (Tung Chung), Discovery Bay City Owners' Committee and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
Ends/Friday, September 18, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:22
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