Text by / MOOK Scenic Spots Family Compilation & Reporting Photography by / Zhang Yingying
The 2018 Taipei Lantern Festival officially launched at 6:00 PM on February 24, with a test lighting event held on the 23rd as various lantern zones began to glow. From Ximen Station to Beimen Station, many visitors and locals started to explore and take photos along the way. In addition to the main lantern in front of Ximen Red House, each zone offered its own photo-worthy highlights.
Main Lantern: Fortune Dog of Happiness
Giant Pikachu
In line with this year’s “Pikachu Outbreak” theme, there’s also a PokéStop map.
Besides Pikachu’s appearance at the opening performance on February 24, it will also perform during the “Street Parade” on March 3 and the subsequent “Mass Lantern Lighting” event, along with a meet-and-greet session.
[March 3 Street Parade / Lantern Lighting Gala]
Happy GOGO, Dogs Are Amazing Parade
March 3, 2018
17:20 Street Parade / Turning from Section 1 of Zhonghua Road onto Chengdu Road
The parade begins at 17:00 at the intersection of Zhonghua Road and Wuchang Street, with a performance at the Chengdu Road intersection.
18:00 Speech by Mayor Ko Wen-je (Starting Point at Zhonghua Road and Wuchang Street Intersection)
The “Dogs Are Amazing” Street Parade invited 62 organizations to form 55 performance teams from various fields, with over 1,800 participants. The parade started from the intersection of Zhonghua Road and Wuchang Street, traveled along Zhonghua Road to the lantern festival’s main performance stage at the Chengdu Road intersection, where a stationary performance was held, before proceeding to the Film Theme Park to conclude. Pet dogs were also a highlight of the procession.
The parade featured five major highlights: the Wind Music Ensemble; a stunt space with acrobatics and juggling acts; the Star Wars Empire’s 501st Legion Taiwan Garrison and other cosplay groups; floats designed by emerging theater stage designers and visual artists; and elements representing diverse cultures including indigenous peoples, Hakka, and new immigrants.Athletes who shined at the 2017 Universiade, including martial artists Xu Kaigui and Chen Yiyin, roller skaters Song Qingyang, basketball players Huang Lingjuan and Zheng Yixiu, taekwondo athletes Zhuang Jiajia, Li Shenggang, Huang Chengjing, and Liu Weiting, volleyball player Chen Yiru, and rhythmic gymnast Yang Qianmei, will ride on sightseeing buses to celebrate with the public.; Additionally, 101 dog-owner pairs have been invited to join the parade, and the biggest surprise highlight is Mayor Ko Wen-je’s frisbee-catching interactive performance with the dogs.
Pikachu made an appearance at the Taipei Lantern Festival opening performance, drawing enthusiastic attention, photos, and videos from the audience and fans. (Photo / Taipei City Government)
Love Love Happy Lantern Lighting
March 3, 2018
19:30 Lantern Lighting Ceremony / Section 1 of Zhonghua Road (from Zhongxiao West Road to Kaifeng Street Intersection)
At 19:30, the event begins with a YOYO singing and dancing show, a flash mob featuring Bear Chang and a mystery guest (Beimen Square)
At 19:55, the “Pikachu at the Taipei Lantern Festival” event takes place
This is followed by a speech by Mayor Ko Wen-je, as well as performances including landscape light sea displays, acrobatics, and the official lantern lighting.
At the moment of 20:20, everyone present is invited to light up and raise their lanterns and mobile phones. Through aerial footage, they collectively create a massive, shining dog-shaped landscape light sea, illuminating the entire Western District night sky.
20:45–21:45 “Pikachu with You – Happy GOGO” Meet-and-Greet Session
Blessing Lantern Zone artwork “Ximen City Battlements”
Recreating the former glory of the splendid old Ximen (Baoyingmen) city wall.
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