Club float has the crowd hopping to get Year of the Rabbit off to a golden start

03/02/2011

Not only did The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s "Fortune in The Lead" float shower local residents and visitors with auspicious blessings at the International Chinese New Year Night Parade this evening (3 February), but its supporting troupe also delighted the crowd with a unique blending of Chinese tradition and modern-day creativity, getting the atmosphere truly hopping to welcome in the New Year of the Rabbit.

The dazzling float, featuring two giant golden racehorses drawing lucky gold coins, symbolised the significant contributions the Club has long made to the community through its not-for-profit business model.  Tonight marked the sixteenth consecutive time the Club had participated in the parade, fulfilling its mission of enhancing Hong Kong’s tourism appeal internationally and promoting the attractiveness of the city’s sporting entertainment and mega-events.

A shadow puppet performance put on by award-winning National Grade 1 Artist Li Jianxin added an especially magical touch.  Known for his skilful techniques and unique interpretation of this millennium-old art form, Li brought to life the Club’s competitive spirit and dedication to providing world-class sporting entertainment, with the help of modern-style horse puppets created by talented young designers from Sky High, a Club-funded youth project in Tin Shui Wai.

Another group of 40 young people from Sky High performed modern synchronised dance alongside the float.  This enchanting blend of ancient art and modern-day creativity echoed the Club’s commitment to building a better Hong Kong for future generations, while preserving the city's unique heritage and cultural roots.

Also warming the hearts of the audience were a group of teenagers from Tin Shui Wai, Tung Chung and Sham Shui Po, all participants of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team’s community programmes.  They joined Volunteer Team members, dressed in traditional Chinese costumes adorned by a lovable horse “buddy”, to demonstrate puppetry skills they had newly learned under Li’s mentorship.

Among those taking pride in this debut performance was 13-year-old Kelvin Lee Tsz-chung, who spent much time before the parade researching its background and familiarising himself with its route through the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui.  “I wanted to put on my best performance because this is an opportunity that is hard to come by,” the teenager said.  “Tonight, I've had my wildest dream come true!”

Tonight's parade was watched by tens of thousands of spectators along the route and millions more around the world through live telecasts.  The Club hopes that by giving groups it supports, like Sky High and the teenagers, the experience of showcasing their creativity to a worldwide audience, it will inspire these young people to pursue their dreams and volunteer to help others in need.

Another of tonight's young performers was Sky High dancer Luk Wing-yan, who was thrilled to be able to participate in the parade for the second time and found it a hugely fulfilling experience.  “Not only did I make a lot of acquaintances, but also I learned a lot about professional choreography and stage performances, which were invaluable to a performing arts lover like me,” Luk enthused.

Meanwhile, the appearance on the Club’s float of Hong Kong’s 2009/10 champion apprentice jockey Keith Yeung and Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games equestrian bronze medallist Samantha Lam, a member of the HKJC Equestrian Team, evoked local pride among tonight's spectators and happy memories of their sporting triumphs.

More celebrations and good fortune for the Year of the Rabbit will be in store this Saturday, 5 February, when the Club hosts its ever-popular Chinese New Year Race Meeting at Sha Tin Racecourse.  Adding further excitement to the afternoon's horse racing will be a Triple Trio Jackpot likely to reach HK$50 million and over HK$700,000 worth of scratch-and-win card prizes.  A variety of colourful and traditional on-course festivities will also add to the festive atmosphere, including a spectacular opening ceremony, performances by popular local entertainers and a “Fortune Market” showcasing exquisite gold exhibits.

Not to be missed either is the a Mark Six CNY Snowball draw on Sunday 6 February, offering a single lucky first prize winner as much as HK$50 million – the perfect way to start the New Year of Rabbit on a high note!

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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.