CNY Night Parade

In the evening we went down to TST to watch the famous night parade.   The CNY night parade has been running for 20 years.   It follows a circuit around the streets of TST watched by a crowd of c. 150,000 spectators (scmp link).

We had booked tickets in the paid seated area, and also got tickets for my old friend AJ and his family who have just relocated to Hong Kong.  Their daughter  M. is the same age as Hannah and they always enjoys playing together.

We even got party-bags from the sponsors with hats, whistles, cookies and water.

The parade was kicked-off by a neat dance routine performed by cabin-crew from Cathay Pacific,  the main sponsors.

Cathay Pacific cabin crew

They were followed by 4 floats and performances by 10 local and 10 foreign performing group

The floats included a cool float from Ocean Park.

Ocean Park Float

The local groups included young dancers of JMWarts and dance (which Hannah once attended) who did a nice routine dressed in yellow outfits with a 'sweets' theme.   Also the HK Chinese Martial Arts and Lion Dance Association who run some of the tai chi competitions I've been to.   I was also impressed by the HK rope-skipping academy, and the acrobatic street-dancers Trickstation.

Dragon Dance

 Video:  CNY Parade

The foreign groups included the Denver Bronco Cheerleaders who did a great routine despite appearing to be performing in their under-wear.   (Perhaps Cathay Pacific had mislaid their costumes).   And the Brass Band of the Moscow Cadet School who performed the theme to 'Austin Powers' of all things.   Also Okinawa drummers and masked dancers from the Philippines.

Massed lion dancers of the Peoples Liberation Army

 Video:  CNY Parade 2

The parade finished with a group of children wearing balloon costumes in the shape of sheep, to celebrate the start of the year of the sheep.

Sheep Balloons

It was a great event.    And I was glad we had seats.  It expect it wouldn't have been so much fun trying to watch the parade from the crush of the main crowd, especially with small children and grandparents.