By Wei Ruyu, compiled and reported
The “2012 Happy Pingtung – Auspicious Dragon Welcomes the New Year Goods Street” event will take place this weekend (January 14–15) at Pingtung County Zhongshan Park, featuring 80 stalls offering local agricultural products, souvenirs, festive foods, and general merchandise. At 10 a.m. on the 14th, the opening ceremony will include a “Fortune Falls from the Sky” activity, where the organizers have prepared 200 red envelopes to be generously handed out for good luck.
During the event, participants who throw a pair of “blessing cups” can win a small golden ingot charm, with a daily limit of 500 available. (Photo provided by Pingtung County Government Tourism and Communications Department)
This year marks the 4th edition of Pingtung’s Lunar New Year Goods Street, bringing together special agricultural products from various townships and high-quality local vendors to provide a sales platform. This year’s event features 80 stalls divided into four major zones: Classic Foods & Souvenirs, Love & Sharing Sales Area, Agricultural Products of Pingtung, and Special New Year Goods Section. The stalls will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., making it convenient for visitors to shop. Additionally, there will be performances by Rainbow Sister, magicians, street performers, and calligraphy activities for writing Spring Festival couplets on the stage.
Yin Fenglan, Director of Pingtung County Tourism and Communications Department, said that in addition to maintaining last year’s strong shopping momentum, the department has planned several innovative initiatives. Among them is the newly launched “Happy Dragon” New Year Goods Shuttle Bus. During the two-day event, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., buses will depart hourly from Zhongshan Park, passing through Pingtung Railway Station, Pingtung Night Market, Ren’ai Road, Shènglì Road, and Zhōngzhèng Road. The public is encouraged to use this eco-friendly and parking-convenient service.
A variety of local Pingtung specialties and souvenirs will be available at the New Year Goods Street. (Photo provided by Pingtung County Government Tourism and Communications Department)
During the event, visitors can receive a food discount coupon by checking in on Facebook with the message “I’m at Pingtung Zhongshan Park New Year Goods Street.” A total of 200 coupons will be given out daily, with a limit of one per person per day until supplies run out. Yin Fenglan noted that the food discount coupons are valid from January 14 to January 20 and can not only be used at the New Year Goods Street but also at designated shops in Pingtung Night Market—spend over NT$100 and get NT$40 off, helping to extend the lively shopping vibe to the night market as well.
For more details, visit the Pingtung County Government website at www.pthg.gov.tw/tw/index.aspx, or like the Tourism and Communications Department’s Facebook fan page “iPingtung ~ Love Pingtung” to stay updated on the latest news.