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The following is issued on behalf of the Yau Tsim Mong District Council:
Some 3,000 performers from 60 performing groups will participate in the largest parade on Nathan Road in recent years on the morning of September 20 (Sunday).
The event is to share with the public the joy of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong's hosting of the 2009 East Asian Games.
"Celebrating National Day cum Welcoming East Asian Games Yau Tsim Mong Grand Parade" is jointly organised by the Yau Tsim Mong District Council 60th National Day Celebration Activities Organising Committee and the Yau Tsim Mong District Office, co-organised by the Federation of Yau Tsim Mong District Affairs and sporsored by the Yau Tsim Mong District Council.
The wide array of performances will include folk dances, such as a harvest dance and folk dance of the Dai ethnic group, a performance by the Chinese magical hybrid creature "Pixiu", traditional floats, roller skating, a demonstration of Ving Tsun martial arts, taekwondo, freestyle football, Chinese music, a marching band and Tang dynasty costume show.
Ethnic minority groups will also participate in the parade, performing Filipino folk songs, traditional Sri Lankan dance and Indian music and dance.
After the opening and eye-dotting ceremony to be held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza at 10am, the huge parade will proceed northbound along Nathan Road at 10.45am. The parade will turn around near Austin Road and continue southbound along Nathan Road, turning right into Haiphong Road. The two-hour parade will end when it reaches Canton Road.
Leading the parade will be 30 vintage cars. One of them is a 1943 Ford GPW Jeep, the same model of the vehicle that appeared in the national military review in 1949.
Members of the public are welcome to come and enjoy the joyful atmosphere of the parade. Nathan Road, near the entrance of the Miramar Shopping Centre and near the Kowloon Mosque and Islamic Centre, is an ideal viewing location.
Special traffic arrangements will be implemented on the event day to facilitate Yau Tsim Mong's celebration of National Day and welcoming the East Asian Games. For further information, please visit the Special Traffic & Transport Arrangement of the Transport Department's website (www.td.gov.hk/traffic_notices/index_inmode_0_typeid_1.htm).
For enquiries, please call 2399 2743.
Ends/Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:04
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