Floats all ready to spread luck

Nine dragon-themed floats are gearing up to spread good luck to spectators lining the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui at the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade on Saturday, the first day of the Year of the Dragon.

The floats will depart the Hong Kong Cultural Center Piazza in Tsim Sha Tsui at 8pm and wind along Canton Road, Haiphong Road and Nathan Road, finishing outside Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel and Towers at around 9.45pm.

The parade will feature 29 local and international performing teams from 10 countries, including Japan, Spain, the United States, South Korea and the mainland.

One float - presented by Lasonic, Sanrio Global Asia and Medialink and joining the parade for the first time - features characters based on the 1995 French-British animated children's television series Mr Men and Little Miss.

The float will have 10 joyful Mr Men and Little Miss characters, complemented by colorful lights, said Sanrio representative Gian Chan.

"Just like the Little Miss Sunshine watch I am wearing, we hope to present Hong Kong's unique energy and attractiveness [to spectators]," Chan said.

Macau is also participating in the parade, with a float featuring city mascot "Mak Mak" and a dance performance by more than 40 children.

Seven-year-old Chung said it took her a month to practice the dance.

Despite feeling slightly nervous, Chung is looking forward to Saturday, saying: "The dance moves are simple."

The Hong Kong Jockey Club's float will feature galloping horses crafted from over 2,000 flowers and dynamic animations, with the theme "Blooming With You!"

Dressage rider Jacqueline Siu Wing-ying and apprentice jockey Angus Chung Yik-lai will be on the float, sharing Lunar New Year greetings.

Organizer Hong Kong Tourism Board said the parade is expected to attract 150,000 people. Road closure arrangements will be in place in Tsim Sha Tsui from 3.30pm on Saturday.

The Travel Industry Council expects around 1.2 million visitors to travel to Hong Kong throughout the Lunar New Year holiday.

The occupancy rate of hotels has also exceeded 90 percent but room rates only rebounded to 80 percent of their price in 2018.

TIC executive director Fanny Yeung Shuk-fan said the high-speed railway has helped the recovery of the tourism sector amid limited flight capacity and expects visitor numbers to fully recover by the third quarter.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com