More than 40 celebration events to mark HKSAR's 20th anniversary this weekend
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Street carnivals, exhibitions, sports events, flag-raising ceremonies and a massive fireworks display over Victoria Harbour are just a few examples of what is planned for public participation or viewing.
"With such a packed events calendar, there will be something for everyone this weekend," the Director of the Celebrations Co-ordination Office, Mr Gordon Leung, said.
"We hope that everyone can soak up the festive atmosphere with family and friends to celebrate together this important milestone for our country and Hong Kong."
Carnival atmosphere
The action-packed weekend will include a series of carnivals in districts across the city.
On Hong Kong Island, a two-day "Heritage Vogue‧Hollywood Road" street carnival will begin at PMQ on July 1 and expand to cover much of Hollywood Road on July 2.
Set against the backdrop of treasured heritage sites, the carnival will feature creative stalls, workshops and music performances as well as a cheongsam show and street dances.
Meanwhile, Sheung Wan Cultural Square will host a carnival involving singing and dance performances as well as a magic show, lion dance and game booths in the afternoon of July 1.
In Wan Chai, the Dragon Chinese Traditional Culture Carnival will present a dragon dance and game booths at Southorn Playground on July 2. And in Causeway Bay, the Victoria Park soccer pitches will be the venue for the "Innovation in Science and Technology: Realisation of our Dreams" exhibition (June 29 to July 2). It will comprise three parts: aeronautics in China, innovations and inventions by Hong Kong students, and robotic games.
Getting to and fro between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui and between Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui will also be easy on July 2, with free Star Ferry rides all day courtesy of the "Star" Ferry Company, Ltd.
In Kowloon, the "Made in Hong Kong" Street Carnival and Summer Fun activities will get under way on July 1 in Lai Chi Kok. The Street Carnival on Cheung Yee Street on July 1 will offer singing and dance performances, game booths and local food. Meanwhile, the Summer Fun event with outdoor neon lighting decorations and handicraft workshops will continue until August 31.
In Yau Tsim Mong District, the 20th Anniversary Celebration Carnival will be held at MacPherson Playground on July 1. In addition to carnival games, a lion dance and a variety show, there will also be an exhibition of classic cars.
Also on July 1, the HKSAR 20th Anniversary Variety Show will be held at Piazza Areas A, B and C of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. In Kwun Tong, the Kowloon Federation of Associations Kwun Tong District Committee will meanwhile present a series of events across the district to celebrate the 20th anniversary.
In the New Territories, the Get Energised@20A Kwai Tsing Celebration Party at Tsing Yi Sports Centre will feature a youth talent show, handicrafts and electronic games on July 1. The Tsuen Wan Carnival at the D‧Park shopping mall on the same day will promote family harmony through such activities as booth games and a DIY workshop.
"Storm the Park" in Yuen Long on July 1 will present "Splish Splash@Tin Yip Road Park", where fun-seekers will find a giant inflatable water slide, a water-fun maze, shaking boats and floating bouncy castles.
Sports all the way
Sports enthusiasts will be able to enjoy free use of most venues across the city run by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) on July 1. Free entry to swimming pools will be on a first-come, first-served basis; advance booking is required for most other facilities. For enquiries on the Leisure Facilities Free Use Day, please call 2414 5555 or refer to the website: www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/freeuseday.
Spectators can enjoy a series of events this weekend. They include:
- Lawn bowls as bowlers hit the greens across the city vying for the Reunification Cup on July 1 and 2;
- The Marathon Run along the Shing Mun River footpaths featuring half-marathon and 10-kilometre races on July 1;
- Soccer matches at Southorn Playground in Wan Chai on July 1;
- Beach Volleyball Competition & Beach Soccer Game at Tin Yip Road Artificial Sand Court in Yuen Long on July 1; and,
- A dragon boat race near Sok Kwu Wan Pier on Lamma Island on July 1.
Exhibitions galore
July 2 will see the opening of "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Longevity and Virtues: Birthday Celebrations of the Qing Emperors and Empress Dowagers" exhibition at the Hong Kong Museum of History. The display featuring precious artefacts that commemorated birthday celebrations in the Qing dynasty will run until October 9.
Other exhibitions include "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Hall of Mental Cultivation of The Palace Museum - Imperial Residence of Eight Emperors" at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum (June 29 to October 15) featuring around 200 artefacts of the Yangxindian that reveal its political, historical and cultural importance. Also at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, "Inventing le Louvre: From Palace to Museum over 800 Years" continues until July 24. At the Hong Kong Science Museum, the "Eternal Life - Exploring Ancient Egypt" exhibition (until October 18) is showcasing about 200 artefacts from ancient Egypt.
Admission fees apply for the above four exhibitions, while Museum Pass holders can enjoy free admission.
In addition, a variety of other exhibitions are being held across the city, including the following:
- The "Hong Kong ∞ Impression" exhibition at City Gallery and Edinburgh Place showcasing Hong Kong's achievements in city planning and infrastructure development runs until November 30;
- The "Pirates of the South China Sea: Chasing Cheung Po Tsai and the Port Cities" exhibition at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum. The event runs until October 8 and features model ships, digital animations and 200-year-old oil paintings;
- Also at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, the "On Sharks and Humanity" exhibition running from June 29 to September 30 will feature artworks that explore the relationship between sharks and humans.
An admission fee applies for both exhibitions at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum.
Elsewhere, the ship "Yu Kun" from Dalian Maritime University is making a port call in Hong Kong. The public can visit the ship at Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui on July 1, 2 and 4 (an admission fee applies).
Flying the flag
A number of flag-raising ceremonies are planned across the city for July 1, including at Ginza Square in Tin Shui Wai, Reunification Garden in Sheung Shui and the Amphitheatre in Tai Po Waterfront Park.
Iconic fireworks
The traditional July 1 fireworks display will be bigger than ever this year, with a 23-minute explosion of colour, light and noise generated from about 40 000 shells fired from five barges. Laser elements will include dancing butterflies while LED animation will light up the glass wall of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The best vantage points to watch the fireworks, which will start at 8pm, include the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade in Kowloon and the Central Waterfront Promenade between the Central Piers and Tamar Park on Hong Kong Island.
For full details and updates on the 20th anniversary celebrations and events on July 1 and 2, please visit www.hksar20.gov.hk.
Ends/Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:10
Issued at HKT 16:10
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