Relive the memories of lantern parades — Kaohsiung Lantern Festival’s Grand Lantern Parade on March 7

▲ The Kaohsiung Lantern Festival invites the public to join the Grand Lantern Parade. (Photo provided by Kaohsiung City Government)

Reported by Chen Ruizhong / Comprehensive report

The 2015 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival’s “Love & Happiness: Grand Lantern Parade” will take place at 7:00 PM on March 7. The Kaohsiung City Government invites the public to experience the festive fun of creative street parades from childhood, enjoy the beautiful nightscape of Kaohsiung, and share love and happiness.

Kaohsiung Deputy Mayor Chen Jinde stated that the lantern display area of the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival extends from Central Park to both banks of the Love River, integrating various creative and eco-friendly elements. Since the third day of the Lunar New Year, the festival has attracted over 2 million visitors. The Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau also noted that the Grand Lantern Parade on March 7 will feature performances by groups including Kaohsiung’s sister cities, new residents, Shu-Te Home Economics and Commercial High School, as well as military bands. Various themed floats will also join the parade. The procession will gather at 7:00 PM at the Five Fortunes Roundabout in central Kaohsiung and proceed along Wufu Success Intersection and Wufu Hero Intersection, concluding with a performance at the intersection of Minsheng East River Road. The public is welcome to bring their own lanterns to join in the fun and relive the joy of traditional lantern parades.

In addition, the 2015 “Lively Goat” lanterns will be distributed at 5:00 PM on March 5 at the Hedong Zhongzheng Service Station and Hexi Wufu Service Station, as well as at designated points along the parade route at 7:00 PM on March 7.