Nine spectators fainted and needed medical attention within two hours of the parade, which started at 2pm, as the temperature soared to 32 degrees Celsius.

Bun-snatching was banned at the annual festival after 100 revelers were injured climbing a tower in 1978.

More than 30,000 people flocked to Cheung Chau for this year's festival, and business at restaurants is estimated to have increased by about 30 percent.

Ferry services were increased to cope with the extra passengers. According to New World First Ferry,

from 8am to 5pm on Sunday, about 20,000 passengers had left the Central pier for the island.

The festival featured lion dances, Taoist rituals, and a ``Piu Sik'' float parade, in which children were dressed as well-known personalities.

At midnight, the 12 selected competitors climbed the three towers and snatched 8,000 steamed buns.

Financial Secretary Henry Tang watched the parade, which he described as ``spectacular.''

The festival is said to have various origins. One claims islanders were killed by pirates and Pak Tai - ``Lord of the North'' - stepped in to calm the spirits of the dead. Another is that Pak Tai intervened during a plague outbreak in 1777 that killed many on the island.

The Bun Festival is a combination of placating lost spirits and praying to Pak Tai.