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By KOW KWAN YEE
Photos by GARY CHEN

Visitors hanging their wishes on pieces of paper on the cherry blossom wishing tree during Kwong Wah Yit Poh Press Chinese New Year party on Presgrave Road in George Town. - GARY CHEN/The Star

THE Kwong Wah Yit Poh Press Chinese New Year party turned Presgrave Road in George Town, Penang, into a traditional Chinese street.

Red lanterns were strung across the road and a huge golden dragon figure sat at the entrance to the street.

Visitors thronging the street could be seen peering up at the colourful lanterns to admire them.

Traditional way: Visitors trying to make art during Kwong Wah Yit Poh Press’ Chinese New Year party on Presgrave Road in George Town.

Performers on the centre stage belted out Chinese New Year songs to the delight of the thousands of visitors.

The singing performance was one of the many programmes lined up for the five-hour event.

A total of 40 Chinese cultural booths were set up, selling traditional delicacies and colourful CNY ornaments.

Daring stunt: A chingay performer about to catch the pole with his foot.

Some booths allowed visitors to watch demonstrations of Chinese calligraphy and dough art and to try their hand at the ancient crafts.

Kwong Wah Yit Poh Press Bhd general manager Lee Hin Chan said the street party was to create a festive atmosphere almost similar to that in China.

“In China, such a carnival-like celebration on the street is common during Chinese New Year, especially in front of the temples,” he said during the event on Saturday.

Aglow with cheer: Visitors admiring colourful lanterns during Kwong Wah Yit Poh Press Chinese New Year party on Presgrave Road in George Town.

State executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow, who launched the event, lauded the vernacular daily for promoting Chinese culture and traditions.

After the launching ceremony, several performances were presented.

They included a chingay and a dazzling LED dragon dance to commemorate the coming Year of the Dragon.

Among the visitors to the carnival was Alvin Subramaniam, 33, from Kuala Lumpur.

He said he was impressed by the cherry blossom wishing tree.

“I listed down my wishes on a piece of paper and hung it on the tree,” said Alvin, who was visiting Penang with his friends.

He also said he could not stop taking photos of the attractive and colourful decorations along the road. {News link]

Posted by admin on January 9, 2012 under Tourism News.