2008 Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade to Follow New Route

On Chinese New Year’s Day (7 February) the 2008 Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade will usher in the Year of the Rat. Heralding the theme of “Riding High – Hong Kong Spectacular!”, the parade will follow a new route, with specially designed colourful  floats, both local and international performing groups, and interactive elements that are sure to bring spectators an entertaining and memorable evening.

The Hon James Tien, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), said that the Chinese New Year parade has successfully become a signature event of the festivities. “After more than a decade of promotions, the parade has become a ‘must-see’ for visitors coming to Hong Kong during the festival. The event, coupled with other New Year celebrations, will once again boast Hong Kong’s vibrant culture and attract tourists to come and experience the festive atmosphere.”

The parade this year will feature a combination of 11 brightly illuminated floats, 12 overseas and 13 local performing groups, which epitomises the cosmopolitan image of Hong Kong. Among the participating groups from 11 countries and regions, 10 are participating the event for the first time, such as the Baltic Sea Group, El Sol de Espana (Spain), and Tahiti Ballet with Fire-Eater (Polynesia).

Following a completely new route, the parade will start at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui and proceed along Salisbury Road to Mody Lane, then U-turn and end at New World Centre. Spectators will be able to get the best view of the parade from three designated performance zones set up along Salisbury Road.

To create a memorable Lunar New Year experience, the HKTB will inject new interactive elements into this year’s event, for instance, spectators will be mesmerised by the stilt-walking stunts by French performing group, Futuristic Ostriches, and be able to admire for the first time ever in the event, traditional piu sik parade (children on float) performed by Zhanjiang Wuzhou Piu Sik together with Piu Sik team from Hong Kong’s Cheung Chau Island.

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