2013-02-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — First organized by Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), the grand evening outdoor Lunar New Year celebrations namely “Parade for the Celebration of the Year of the Snake” unveiled tonight (February 12).
MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, President of Cultural Affairs Bureau (ICM), Ung Vai Meng and Administration Committee member of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), Isabel Celeste Jorge officiated the launch ceremony at 8 p.m.
The 10 floats were radiant with diverse characteristics. Among them, MGTO’s float was decorated under the theme “Touching Moments･Experience Macau” whereas IACM’s float was themed around the Zodiac statues of the Snake at Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge and Iao Hon Market Garden. The rest 8 floats were designed to set off the image of their representative enterprises.
The 10 show themes of the “Parade for the Celebration of the Year of the Snake” are “Prosperity Dragon Leaping into the Blooming Year”, “Affluent Harvest on the Imperial Land”, “Exuberant Celebration of Year of Golden Snake”, “Bright Lights, Blooming City”, “City of Lusophonic Charm”, “Celebration of Longevity”, “The Rhythm of Dancing Drums”, “The Sparkling Future of Macau”, “Joyous Festivity of Opulence” and “The Brilliant Calls of Vitality”.
The 10 floats and close to 1,000 performers organized by 28 local associations jointly started off from Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van, presenting fantastic performance for citizens and visitors on the way as well as audience who watched the live broadcast on the grand LED screens and two TV channels, together celebrating the bliss of Lunar New Year.
MGTO installed LED screens at Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van and live broadcasted the parade through the LED screens at Rua de Pedro Nolasco da Silva and Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre so that audience could enjoy the whole fascinating show of the parade. Simultaneously, Teledifusão de Macau, S.A. (TDM) and Macau Cable TV live broadcasted the parade while the latter also recorded the show for subsequent broadcast. Over 340 staff and nearly 230 volunteers participated in the event.
The parade and performing teams commenced from Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van, passed through Avenida Dr. Stanley Ho and reached the destination at Sai Van Lake Square. Numerous local and foreign spectators crowded along the way. Lighting devices and icicle lights were installed along the parade route, while curtain lights and meteor lights were set up at the starting and finishing points. The illuminations glistened in harmony with the floats’ light devices and the performing teams’ unique costumes. Resplendent with the artists’ passionate and interactive performance, the parade together constituted a dazzling picture and infused a bustling and jubilant atmosphere, showing the harmonious festivity of Spring Festival.
During the parade, stage performance went on at Sai Van Lake Square as well. Upon the parade’s arrival at the square, part of the performing teams instantly joined the stage performance. A myriad of fireworks then climaxed the celebrations at 10 p.m. Afterwards, the guests along with the parade and performing teams joined the celebration evening banquet, where Director Fernandes expressed deep gratitude to the participating entities, sponsors, social organizations and all the staff for their great support as well as to citizens and visitors for their participation such that the unprecedented mega parade came to a successful accomplishment.
MGTO expects the event to boost the charm and festive ambience of Macau. It also serves to divert visitors towards different districts through various activities in coordination with the Development Plan for Community Tourism.
MGTO, IACM and ICM are the organizers of the “Parade for the Celebration of the Year of the Snake” while The Industry and Commerce Association of Macau Northern District is the supporting entity. The major programs take place at night on the 3rd and 7th day of Lunar New Year with highlights including launch ceremony, float parade, 1,000-artists performance, stage show, fireworks display and float exhibition. The launch ceremony of the parade on the 7th night of Lunar New Year will take place on Avenida do Conselheiro Borja at 8 p.m. Similarly, 10 floats will join the parade which will set off from Avenida do Conselheiro Borja and finish at Rua do Mercado de Iao Hon. Colorful stage performance will be scheduled in Iao Hon Market Garden.
The 10 floats joining the “Parade for the Celebration of the Year of the Snake” will be showcased at Sai Van Lake Square and Tap Seac Square respectively during February 12 – 24 (3rd – 15th day of the first lunar month). The float illuminations will lighten from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. during the above period.
MGTO will also participate in the Lantern Festival celebrations organized by IACM at Tap Seac Square on the 15th of the first lunar month, including float exhibition and artistic performance.
e-mail: media@macautourism.gov.mo
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Parade for the Celebration of the Year of the Snake unveils with dazzling float parade and splendid performance