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The following is issued on behalf of the Wan Chai District Council:
To share with the public the joy of the 17th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and to launch the Wan Chai Festival, the 2014 Wan Chai Festival Opening Ceremony - "Vitality.Love@HKSAR" Grand Sea, Land and Sky Parade will be held this Sunday (July 6) from 3pm to 6pm at Golden Bauhinia Square and off Wan Chai in Victoria Harbour.
Starting at 3pm, more than 10 performance groups of district organisations and schools together with artistes will stage a variety show at Golden Bauhinia Square. Game booths under the theme of Wan Chai and handicraft booths will also be set up. Game coupons are now being distributed at the Public Enquiry Service Centre of Wan Chai District Office (during office hours) and will be available on July 6 on the spot on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last.
The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing and the Director General of the Hong Kong Island Sub-office of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Mr Wu Yang-wei, will officiate at the opening ceremony at 4.30pm.
The half-hour grand parade will take place right after the ceremony and members of the public are welcome to come and share the joyful atmosphere.
Ten vessels, including a fire boat, "Harbour Cruise – Bauhinia" cruises, a Star Ferry, the Adventure Ship, and yachts from the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club will take part in the sea parade off the Square. A helicopter from the Government Flying Service displaying the regional flag, and two other helicopters from Heliservices (HK) Limited and Sky Shuttle Helicopters Limited, will have a fly-past over the Square. Furthermore, more than 200 district personalities, ethnic minorities and members of uniformed groups will dress up and join the land parade under the lead of Hong Kong Police Band at the Square and the nearby waterfront area, waving national flags and regional flags.
In addition, 16 vintage cars and motorbikes arranged by the Hong Kong Automobile Association will join the parade with two open-top big buses from 5.30pm in Wan Chai District. To extend the lively atmosphere to the busy streets of Causeway Bay, a "luminous" street performance will be staged from 6.30pm to 7pm at the Lockhart Road Pedestrian Precinct.
A free shuttle bus service will be available between MTR Wan Chai Station (B1 Exit) and Golden Bauhinia Square around every 15 minutes starting from 2.30pm.
The activity is organised by the 2014 Wan Chai Festival Organising Committee in collaboration with the Wan Chai District Office, and sponsored by Wan Chai District Council.
Ends/Thursday, July 3, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:00
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