Overcrowded Tai O cancels lantern lighting on Mid Autumn

An influx of visitors into the tiny fishing village of Tai O last night has made an organizer decide not to light up lanterns on Mid-Autumn Festival this Tuesday.

Those who are keen to see the lanterns can still visit the village on quieter days.

Tai O art community group “Tai O Fei Mao Li,” which organizes the lantern festival, made the announcement around midnight.

It says the lanterns will light up on September 20, 23 to 26, and 29 to 30.

But they will not light up on September 21 and 22, which is Mid-Autumn Festival and the day after the festival.

“We want some room for Tai O residents when they return home on Mid Autumn Festival,” the organizer explained.

“We won't light up the lanterns on September 27 and 28 too, as we want the residents to be able to rest after a busy weekend.”

The announcement came after huge crowds rushed into Tai O on Saturday, which is the weekend before Mid Autumn Festival. Police had to be deployed, and visitors were banned from entering Tai O Market Street due to crowd control.