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The application period for joining the Bun Scrambling Competition, which is the finale of the 2014 Bun Carnival, will close next Wednesday (March 5). Climbers shouldn't miss the chance to join in.
This is the 10th anniversary of the Bun Carnival since its revival in 2005. To mark this special occasion, a new element will be introduced in this year's Bun Scrambling Competition.
As one of the highlights of the Cheung Chau Jiao Festival, bun scrambling is a well-known traditional festive activity in Hong Kong and has been well received by local residents and visitors. The event will be held on the soccer pitch of Pak Tai Temple Playground, Cheung Chau, on the night of May 6. Physically fit people aged 18 or above are welcome to join the competition.
The maximum number of entrants for the finalist selection is 200. If the applications exceed the quota, places will be allocated by ballot. Applicants who live, work or study on Cheung Chau will have priority in the ballot.
The China Hong Kong Mountaineering and Climbing Union will hold safety training sessions on bun tower climbing and prevention of falling for selected applicants on April 13. All selected applicants must attend the training sessions before entering the finalist selection exercise in the afternoon of April 20.
A total of 12 finalists, comprising nine male and three female participants, will be shortlisted in the selection exercise. While they will compete in the same race during the Bun Scrambling Competition, results will be ranked separately. The competition will be held from 11.30pm on May 6 to 12.25am on May 7. Within a time limit, competitors will vie for buns that carry one, three and nine marks respectively at different zones of the bun tower. The one with the highest total score will be the winner. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Bun Carnival and to make the competition even more exciting, a special zone of "Super Buns", with each bun carrying 12 marks, will also be put up on the tower. Moreover, the participant who bags the most buns within the specified time will be the prize winner of "Full Pockets of Lucky Buns".
As in previous years, Cheung Chau local organisations and athletes from Hong Kong's neighbouring regions are invited to take part in the Bun Scrambling Invitation Relay, which will be held immediately after the individual competition. The three-member teams will compete in the relay and team members will climb the bun tower in sequence to grab designated buns. The team that completes the task in the shortest time will win.
Prospectuses and enrolment forms for the Bun Scrambling Competition are available now at the 18 District Leisure Services Offices of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and at sports centres in Islands District, and from the supporting parties. They can also be obtained from the LCSD website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/specials/bun2014/en/index.php .
Completed enrolment forms should be returned by hand or by post to the Islands District Leisure Services Office of the LCSD at Room 622, 6/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong, on or before March 5. Applicants may also fax the forms to 2854 3949.
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Cheung Chau Bun Festival Committee and the LCSD, the 2014 Bun Carnival is presented with the support of the Cheung Chau Wai Chiu County Association Limited, the Cheung Chau Rural Committee, the Islands District Office and the China Hong Kong Mountaineering and Climbing Union, and sponsored by Lukfook Jewellery, Watsons Water and the Islands District Council.
The 2014 Bun Carnival will be held between April 13 and May 7. Training sessions on bun tower climbing will open the carnival, while a splendid array of activities including selection of finalists for the competition and the Climbing Carnival will come after. The highlight event is the Bun Scrambling Competition, to be held on the night of Buddha's Birthday.
For enquiries on the above activities, please contact the Islands District Leisure Services Office of the LCSD at 2852 3220, or visit the department's website.
Ends/Thursday, February 27, 2014
Issued at HKT 11:30
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