Chingay, Lion and Dragon Dance Parade 2013

USPA NEWS - George Town: The crowd expressed their approval and cheered wildly when a chingay exponent received and balanced a 15m-tall flagpole using only his forehead. Spectators were also treated to a lion dance performance on stilts and dragons which seemingly glided through the air with the beating.

Earlier yesterday evening, the streets here came to life when dragon dance troupes, lions dance teams and chingay teams started the Penang Chingay, Lion and Dragon Dance Parade from Padang Brown in Jalan Johor to the Esplanade. Tourism Development and Culture state exco Danny Law Heng Kiang said two dragon dance teams, six lion dance teams and 10 Chingay teams would be moving without stopping along the route to avoid contributing to traffic congestion. There will be no stops for performances along the way as it is now the school holidays and we want to avoid traffic congestion as much as possible. Two school bands will accompany the parade, while beauty queens riding along in four gaily decorated trishaws will add a dash of glamour.

The annual display of amazing prowess and agility, organised by the state Tourism Development office, is one of the highlights on the Penang calendar of events. For details, call the hotline 016-411 0000. As Chinese tradition goes, the Chingay parade celebrates the birthday of Chinese deities with a floating procession of lion and dragon dance parade as well as performances and beauty pageant. The parade kicks off at Padang Brown and will pass through Jalan Datuk Keramat, Jalan Penang, Jalan Burma, Jalan Transfer, Jalan Sri Bahari, Lebuh Chulia, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling and Lebuh Light before arriving at the Esplanade's ground for a special 'Lion Dance on Stilts' finale. It was an eye opener for twins Tom and Estalle Chambers, 22.