By MOOK Travel Life Network, reported by Chen Guanxin
Bringing lanterns and strolling the streets together on Lantern Night is a cherished childhood memory for many. To revive the joy of lantern celebrations, the Kaohsiung City Government will host the “Love & Happiness ~ Float Parade” at 7:00 PM on Valentine’s Day, February 14, by closing off the intersection of Zhonghua Wufu Road. The event will feature over 20 performance groups, including corporate teams, military bands, color guards, as well as themed floats from E-DA Rhinos, EVA Air, Transformers, Life of Pi, FTV’s new drama “Dragon Phoenix Dance,” and Fo Guang Shan. With over a thousand performers and traditional acts from sister cities Tateyama (Japan) and Busan (South Korea), the parade will create an unforgettable, vibrant Lantern Festival float carnival.
Kaohsiung Lantern Festival’s street parade will kick off on Lantern Night. (Photo provided by Kaohsiung City Government Tourism Bureau)
The parade will proceed along Wufu Road, turn right onto Hedong Road, and arrive at Love River, where attendees can enjoy the “Lantern Night Fireworks: Love Over Love River” show at 9:00 PM on the water. As this year’s Lantern Festival coincides with Valentine’s Day, the Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau will distribute 20,000 “Happy Horse” mini lanterns along Wufu Road (from Zhonghua to Chenggong Road sections) during the parade. Everyone is welcome to join the lantern stroll and celebrate Lantern Night together.
Xu Chuansheng, Director of Kaohsiung City Government Tourism Bureau, stated that this year’s Lantern Festival district has expanded to collaborate with urban areas and shopping malls for marketing, and will feature an opening street-closing parade to usher in the festival’s climax. This year, the event will take citizens on a nostalgic journey through time, reliving the glory of past parades. During the Lunar New Year period, Kaohsiung’s cool evenings, sparkling floats, and festive parades will create a carnival-like celebration even more spectacular than before. The Tourism Bureau also strongly encourages families to bring children along to experience the tradition of lantern parades. Coinciding with Valentine’s Day, it’s the perfect opportunity for friends to stroll the streets together and for couples to enjoy a romantic Lantern Night.
At 6:00 PM on the evening of the parade, the starting point at Zhonghua Wufu Road Intersection will also gather a thousand participants for a community tangyuan (glutinous rice ball) making activity. By sticking a tangyuan onto the 2014 emblem and posting a photo, attendees can receive a mini lantern and fried tangyuan, as well as join a lucky draw to win premium skincare products and restaurant vouchers from Dali Boutique. At the parade’s endpoint by Love River, couples will be invited to participate in the “Love You Forever Kiss 99” event to witness their love vows, with mini lanterns given to participants. The PK winners who share the longest kiss will receive extra prizes, such as free hotel vouchers.
The “Love & Happiness Float Parade” will begin at 7:00 PM from Zhonghua Wufu Road Intersection, travel along Wufu 3rd Road, turn onto Hedong Road, and end at Aoyue Longxiang. There will be two stationary performances, one at the start and one at the finish. Additionally, to encourage public participation in the parade, the Kaohsiung City Government will distribute Happy Horse mini lanterns along Wufu Road (Zhonghua to Chenggong Road sections) from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM. After receiving their lanterns, participants can immediately join the parade, enjoy the illuminated floats, and watch the 6-minute “Lantern Night Fireworks: Love Over Love River” show at 9:00 PM by Love River.
Traffic control measures will be implemented in stages around the parade route. Parking spaces nearby will also be regulated to accommodate parade preparation and float parking. The Kaohsiung City Government asks for the public’s understanding and cooperation with these traffic controls. Please plan ahead, leave early, and take advantage of public transport such as the MRT and buses to reach the event. For detailed event information, visit the official website of the 2014 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival Art Festival.
● Related Reading:
Kaohsiung Lantern Festival Fun Guide – “Happy Horse” Mini Lanterns Given Away to Celebrate Lantern Night
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