Giant Malayan tapirs and SpongeBob are irresistibly cute！Asia’s largest balloon parade is coming to Kaohsiung

▲The massive balloon parade is set to make a grand return next week. (Photo provided by the Kaohsiung City Government.)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The adorable OPEN将 and Malayan tapir are hitting the streets to meet everyone！The hugely popular 《OPEN！Balloon Parade》, known as Asia’s largest balloon event, is celebrating its 10th year in Kaohsiung. The 2017 parade is set to kick off next week on the 16th, with a grand procession of oversized cartoon character balloons that are sure to be heartwarming just to look at.

▲Cartoon stars take to the streets as giant balloons. (Photo provided by the Kaohsiung City Government.)

The event has officially invited numerous cartoon stars and online "influencers" to join in, including main character OPEN将, Rilakkuma, Snoopy, SpongeBob, Malayan tapir, Smiling Cat, Oreo Chicken, and a total of 25 giant balloons that will charm Kaohsiung. In addition, there will be over 30 performance groups from all over Taiwan, with more than a thousand participants. In the evening, a star-studded magical concert will be held, turning the event into a large-scale festival celebration.

▲Online influencer Malayan tapir also joins in the fun. (Photo taken from theOPEN小将Facebook page)

In conjunction with the event, traffic controls will be implemented around Dream Mall. The organizers also remind participants of the balloon parade and fun run to use public transportation when possible. You can take the Kaohsiung MRT Red Line to Kaisyuan Station or the light rail to Dream Mall Station, and then walk to the event venue.

*Traffic control details are as follows: (No vehicle access or roadside parking is allowed within the controlled time periods and sections, with flexible control measures applied by police based on on-site conditions)

1. Shida Boulevard (Zhonghua 5th Rd - Chenggong 2nd Rd) Dec 12, 14:00～Dec 17, 24:00
2. Shida Boulevard (Zhongshan 3rd Rd - Zhonghua 5th Rd, including the unnamed road on the south side) Dec 13, 14:00～Dec 17, 24:00
3. Zhonghua 5th Rd (Zhengqin Rd - Old Kaisyuan 4th Rd) Dec 16, 10:30～18:30
4. Southbound slow lane of Zhongshan 3rd Rd (Guanghua 3rd Rd - before Zhongkai Bridge) Dec 16, 08:30～18:30
5. Northbound lane of Chenggong 2nd Rd (Kuozhan Rd - Taisugar Logistics Park) Dec 16, 12:30～19:30
6. Old Kaisyuan 4th Rd (Zhongshan 3rd Rd～Chenggong 2nd Rd) Dec 16, 12:00～18:30

《OPEN！Balloon Parade》
Date: December 16 at 2:00 PM
Location: Kaohsiung Shida Boulevard