************************************************************
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 was staged by the Islands District today (September 20) to share the joyful celebration of the anniversary with the public.
Featuring three major components including a sea parade, a street parade and a variety show, the event is the largest-ever sea and street parade in the Islands District, drawing about 15,000 people to participate and view the event.
The sea parade was kicked off by the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Pamela Tan, District Officer (Islands), Mr Byron Lam, and Islands District Council Chairman, Mr Daniel Lam, after which 60 special fleets including classical-style yacht, fishing boats, dinghies, ferries and a fireboat of the Fire Services Department set off at Tsim Sha Tsui, passed through Tsing Yi, Ma Wan and Lantau Island and sailed to Tung Chung Development Pier.
Meanwhile, after the kick-off ceremony of the sea parade, a fleet of parade cars with 112 distinctive vehicles, such as antique cars, motorcycles, bicycles and open-top buses set off for the street parade at Man Tung Road Park in Tung Chung. The parade cars toured along Man Tung Road and Ying Hei Road, then proceeded to Tung Chung Development Pier. The fleet was accompanied by 15 performing groups from various district organisations, who put up distinctive cultural performances such as decorated floats, dragon and lion dance. The public were entertained in the joyful celebration with the uniqueness of Islands District.
Apart from the sea and street parade, a National Day celebration ceremony cum variety show was also staged in the evening. More than 1,500 residents from various islands were invited to enjoy the show which featured performance by renowned singers, district organisations and students from primary and secondary schools and kindergartens, filling up the district with joyful atmosphere.
A switch-on ceremony for the ˇ§Islands District Festive Lightingˇ¨ was also been held in the evening to kick off the festive lighting decorations in the district to extend the joyful celebration of the anniversary.
This event was jointly organised by the Islands District Organising Committee for Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Establishment of the PRC and Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games and the Tourism, Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment Hygiene Committee of Islands District Council, and co-organised by the Islands District Office, eight rural committees of the Islands Districts, Festival Celebration Organising Committee (Tung Chung) , Discovery Bay City Ownersˇ¦ Committee and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
Ends/Sunday, September 20, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:06
NNNN
