The Hong Kong Jockey Club's dazzling “Pearl of Wisdom” float drew much admiration tonight (23 January) from the thousands of local residents and visitors lining the route of the International Chinese New Year Night Parade through Tsim Sha Tsui.
This was the 17th consecutive year that the Club had supported the world-famous parade, with this year's float being designed to showcase Hong Kong’s unique charm as the “Pearl of the Orient”. It featured a giant pearl, a traditional Chinese symbol of good fortune, guarded by dragons and led by a glittering golden racehorse.
Many of the float decorations were designed by teenagers from the Club-supported SkyHigh Creative Partners, who also choreographed their lively dance performance alongside the float, and handed out auspicious calligraphy messages specially created for the event by disabled foot painting artist Chan Tung Mui.
On board the float to wave New Year greetings to the crowds were reigning champion apprentice jockey Vincent Ho and top local equestrian rider Kenneth Cheng, a member of the HKJC Equestrian Team and bronze medallist at the 2010 Asian Games. Through the achievements of these Club-nurtured sportsmen, teenagers and disabled artist, the Club aimed to demonstrate Hong Kong's “can do” spirit to the worldwide audience that receives TV coverage of the parade.
More celebrations ushering in the prosperous Year of the Dragon will follow on the third day of the Year of the Dragon, Wednesday 25 January, when the Club hosts its ever-popular Chinese New Year Raceday** at Sha Tin Racecourse. On top of the horse racing entertainment, the Triple Trio Jackpot that day is estimated to reach HK$30 million, while HK$780,000 worth of glittering prizes will be on offer in the Lucky Dragon Scratch and Win Card game*.
Adding further to the festive atmosphere, a Mark Six CNY Snowball draw** will be held on Thursday 26 January, with a single lucky first prize winner likely to take home as much as HK$50 million.
* Free door gift will be distributed before the start of Race 6, or while stocks last
** Customers must be aged 18 and above
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become one of Hong Kong's best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city's major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects. It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city's growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.
|
The Cluba£á?s Pearl of Wisdom float draws admiration from the thousands of local residents and visitors lining the route of the International Chinese New Year Night Parade.
|
Photo 2 and Photo 3: The centrepiece of this yeara£á?s Club float, a giant pearl guarded by Chinese dragons, doubles as Hong Konga£á?s first outdoor spherical screen, displaying animations that portray the Cluba£á?s countless contributions to the community.
|
|
|
Photo 4 and Photo 5: For the third time in this annual mega-event, young dancers from SkyHigh perform alongside the float, adding to the festive atmosphere of the parade and demonstrating Hong Kong's "can do" spirit to a worldwide audience.
|
|
|
Photo 6 and Photo 7: Disabled foot-painting artist Chan Tung Mui creates auspicious Chinese calligraphy, which is projected on to the float's giant pearl. A further 8,888 copies of her calligraphy are also handed out to spectators by SkyHigh performing troupe.
|
|
|
Photo 8 and Photo 9: Champion apprentice jockey Vincent Ho and HKJC-supported equestrian rider Kenneth Cheng wave New Year greetings to the crowds.
|
|
|
