The "Parade for the Celebration of the Year of Ram" is organized by MGTO and co-organized by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) and Macao Sport Development Board (MSDB).
Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) is presenting the grand outdoor Lunar New Year festivities — the “Parade for the Celebration of the Year of Ram” on the third day (21 February) and tenth day (28 February) of Lunar New Year. Celebrating the festive joy with locals and visitors, the event will feature parade floats and local display, performances by over 1,000 performers, fireworks show, etc. A Mainland theme park’s float will debut in the Parade this year and there will be performances presented by Hong Kong celebrities for the first time. The Office will also host an interactive game on Wechat to add more fun and diversity to the celebrations.
The “Parade for the Celebration of the Year of Ram” is organized by MGTO and co-organized by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) and Macao Sport Development Board (MSDB). MGTO held a press conference today (30 January) to unveil the Parade’s highlights. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Deputy Director Cheng Wai Tong; Head of Department of Cultural Activities and Recreation of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Eric Choi Chi Hong; Chief of Cultural Events Department of Cultural Affairs Bureau, Kent Ieong Chi Kin; President of Macao Sport Development Board, José Maria da Fonseca Tavares, Head of Tourism Product and Events Department of MGTO, Isabel Augusto, and famous Hong Kong singer Stephy Tang were present in the press conference along with the representatives of other sponsoring entities.
MGTO Director Senna Fernandes gave an introduction about the parade, “The ‘Parade for the Celebration of the Year of Ram’ will feature 14 floats, 25 local groups and 9 performing groups from the Mainland; Korea; Hong Kong; Italy; Japan; Malaysia; Portugal; Thailand and Taiwan, China respectively. There are 1,288 performers in total, along with 383 staff and 625 volunteers that add up to 1,008 persons involved.“
Zhuhai Chimelong International Ocean Resort will make a debut in the Parade with its float and performers this year; well-known Hong Kong singers Miriam Yeung, Andy Hui and Stephy Tang will perform on the two aforementioned days of the Parade respectively while Hong Kong artist Johnson Lee will host the Parade night on the third day of Lunar New Year to add more joy and festive vibe to the event.
Going along the same route as last year, the Parade will begin after a launch ceremony at he front square of Macau Science Center at 8 p.m. on the third day of Lunar New Year. The Parade will wend through Avenida Dr. Sun Yat-Sen in Macau and reach its destination at Sai Van Lake Square before Macau Tower. MGTO has assigned four locations along the parade route for performing teams to halt for a show time. The fixed points include the three front areas of Macau Science Center, Kun Iam Statue and Rua da Torre de Macau (near the tunnel entrance opposite the Macau Legislative Assembly Building) as well as Sai Van Lake Square. There will be performances on stage at Sai Van Lake Square at 8:15 p.m. Part of the performing teams from the parade will join the stage performance as well upon arrival at Sai Van Lake Square, followed by a fireworks show at 11 p.m. On the third night of Lunar New Year, MGTO will live broadcast the parade through the LED screens installed at nine locations as follow: Macau Science Center, Avenida Panorâmica do Lago Nam Van, Friendship Square, Park of Dr. Carlos d’Assumpção, Iao Hon Market Garden, Tap Seac Square, Rua de Pedro Nolasco da Silva, Macau Tower and Largo dos Bombeiros in Taipa so that audience can enjoy the whole spectacular throughout the parade. At the same time, TDM and Macau Cable TV will live broadcast the parade and record the show for subsequent broadcast; a special program about the parade will also be broadcasted on both TVB Jade channel and High-definition Jade channel in Hong Kong at 10:30 p.m. on 28 February.
14 splendid floats are presented by China National Tourism Administration, MGTO, IACM, IC, MSDB, Galaxy Entertainment Group, Suncity Group, Sands China Ltd., Zhuhai Chimelong International Ocean Resort, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM China Holdings Limited, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, S.A., Wynn Macau Ltd. and Exmoo News. Cotai Water Jet, Tung Cheng Yuen Buddhist Association and TurboJet are sponsoring the artistic performances. Other sponsoring entities include Coca-Cola.
To encourage local citizens to participate in the event, MGTO hosts a mobile text message game once again for locals to choose their favorite performing team among the local teams appearing on the third night of Lunar New Year. Those who have voted for the winning team are eligible for a lucky draw with a chance to win prizes. Moreover, the new “Interactive Wechat Game – Lucky Puzzle Draw” and “Wechat Message Wall” are launched this year to widen the coverage of the activity.
On the tenth day of Lunar New Year, the “Parade for the Celebration of the Year of Ram” will again feature 14 floats. A kick-off ceremony will be held at Rua Norte do Patane at 8 p.m. The Parade will then adjourn at Iao Hon Market Garden, where stage performances will be presented.
To liven up the spectators’ spirit, MGTO will give out a total of 23,500 small presents along the parade routes on the third day and tenth day of Lunar New Year including fluffy sheep toys and hats, little flags and illuminated balloons.
The 14 floats in the Parade will be showcased at Sai Van Lake Square and Tap Seac Square during 21 – 28 February and 28 February – 8 March respectively. The floats will be brightened up with illuminations to allow photo opportunities for locals and visitors from 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. during the above periods.
MGTO has rolled out a range of promotions via television/radio commercials, internet, printed materials, press, posters, flyers, advertising boards and light boxes, bus and street-lamp post advertisements, etc. to publicize the event among local citizens and visitors.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
