Kota Kinabalu: The annual Year of the Horse Chinese New Year Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Festival and Cultural Village Exhibition, set to take place this Sunday, will feature an extensive lucky draw offering cash prizes and attractive gifts for the public.
Organised by the United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK), the one-day celebration will be held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) with free admission on Jan 25, starting 9am.
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USCCAKK President Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen said the festival will see an exceptionally large turnout this year, with 124 dragon, unicorn and lion dance teams from across the State taking part.
She said these include 33 dragon dance teams, 35 unicorn troupes, 48 lion dance troupes and eight Beijing lion teams, promising a spectacular and exhilarating cultural showcase.
“Members of the public attending the event will be eligible to participate in the lucky draw, provided they register and remain at the venue.
“Registration will begin at 9am at the Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Festival counter. Participants need to fill in their personal details and deposit their tickets into the draw box,” she said.
Susan made the announcement after chairing the final organising meeting attended by USCCAKK council members and representatives from the youth, women’s, cultural and education sections.
Among those present were Deputy President and Organising Chairman Datuk Chua Soon Ping; Vice-President and Children’s Colouring Contest Organising Chairman Micheal Pan; Vice-President and Chinese Calligraphy Activity Organising Chairman Choi Kwok Cheung; and Vice-President and Cultural Village Exhibition Organising Chairman Simon Hong.
On the lucky draws, she said it will be conducted in two rounds — the first at noon and the second at 7.30pm, featuring the grand prizes.
According to Susan, the organiser has allocated RM3,000 in cash prizes, with an additional RM300, and cash prizes include one RM300 prize, four RM500 prizes and a grand cash prize of RM1,000.
Other prizes include two bicycles, a 50-inch television, a portable speaker, dining and shopping vouchers, Chinese New Year hampers, electrical appliances, festive gift packs and school bags.
Apart from the main performances, Susan said the event will also feature a Cultural Village Exhibition, a Children’s Chinese New Year Colouring Contest and Chinese calligraphy activities.
She added that Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security and Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament Datuk Chan Foong Hin will officiate the opening of the Cultural Village Exhibition.
The highlight of the festival — the Grand Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance performance — will begin at noon, followed by the arrival of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor at 2pm as the guest of honour.
“The Chief Minister will lead the ceremonial drum-beating and ribbon-cutting ceremony before presenting commemorative flags and angpows to all participating troupes.
“The public is warmly invited to attend with family and friends to celebrate the Year of the Horse in a joyful and festive atmosphere with happiness and prosperity,” Susan said.
