INFO · Search
· Chinese version · Subscribe

Society

Wong Tai Sin Lantern Festival Fun Fair returns after four-year hiatus

  • By: LI Sin Tung、MAO AnqiEdited by: James Ezekiel Kalaw MODESTO
  • 2024-02-23

The first day of the Wong Tai Sin Lantern Festival Fun Fair has resumed after a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Buzzing with noise and a lively atmosphere, the highlight of day one was the return of crowds of visitors at the night-time event.

Visitors immersed themselves in the festivities, taking pictures and eating snacks bought from the stall.

According to the Wong Tai Sin District Council, around 50 exhibitors participated in the fair, including food vendors, craft stalls and decoration stands.

The Wong Tai Sin Lantern Festival Fun Fair is one of the events under Night Vibes Hong Kong, a series of projects using night markets as a means to promote the post-pandemic economy by the government.

The Fair will be held from Feb. 23 to 25.

Crowds at the entrance of Wong Tai Sin Lantern Festival.
A couple takes selfies at the mini-lantern photo booth.
The hand-crafted cartoon dragon lantern represents the 2024 Chinese New Year.
Rows of blessing cards hanging on the wishing board.
Magnet Fai Chun inscribed with blessings shows people’s expectation for a good new year. The decorations were made by young individuals with intellectual disabilities and got third place in the Hong Kong Smart Design Award, embodying their philosophy of “beauty is found in imperfection.”
Cindy Lam, 30, who runs a handmade balloon workshop, crafts balloons for sale. She said Care Teams are always on patrol to maintain order, and even though each balloon costs HK$50, many visitors purchased them.
Ting Ting, 40, a Chinese traditional costume stall owner, said she believes that the carnival has a lot of visitors because of the Night Vibes. “I am grateful that many people are willing to learn about traditional Chinese costumes during the Lantern Festival,” she said.
Volunteers from Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple writing blessing cards for visitors for free.
Ms. Mei, 60, said the venue is cleaner and more beautifully decorated than that in pre-pandemic days. “Everyone is in a good mood since the pandemic is over and we do not have to wear masks anymore,” as she prepares to take selfies at the photo booth.
Cheung Chi-sing, 27, sings nostalgic songs on the Fun Fair show stage. “The atmosphere this year is very lively. Many elderly people come to the market. I hope that the nostalgic songs can arouse their good memories,” he said.
Singer Dzing Hoi, 27, performs at the event. “The restrictions are removed this year so we are happy to see that more people are willing to come and enjoy the festive glow,” he said.
"For now, the epidemic era has passed, and these blessing cards carry messages wishing for fortune as we rebuild our community one step at a time,” said Ms. Chan as she writes a card for visitors.

《The Young Reporter》

The Young Reporter (TYR) started as a newspaper in 1969. Today, it is published across multiple media platforms and updated constantly to bring the latest news and analyses to its readers.

Comments

Y2K aesthetics makes a comeback 23 years on

World’s First Hydrogen-powered Bus Hits the Road

Broadcast News Network

Broadcast News Network (BNN) is a video news channel run by broadcast journalism students at Hong Kong Baptist University. BNN covers daily news stories and features.

The Young Financial Post

The Young Financial Post (TYFP) is a news portal that presents the works of HKBU financial journalism students on Hong Kong and China financial news via text, picture and video.

The Young Reporter

The Young Reporter (TYR) is an English news publication produced by international journalism students at Hong Kong Baptist University. It started as a printed magazine in 1969. Today, TYR is produced across different platforms.

San Po Yan Magazine

San Po Yan (SPY) is the longest established university experimental news magazine in Hong Kong. Compiled and edited by journalism students, the magazine is aiming at offering accurate and unbiased news stories.

DMC

Pulling insights from data to explore the world and innovate media industry, DMC students will showcase advanced data analysis and journalism skills to be the effective storyteller in this collection.

Web-based Interactive Stories

With a bold and firmed move into the digital age, HKBU students and colleagues present their latest web-based interactive stories in this collection

The Young Reporter

The Young Reporter (TYR) started as a newspaper in 1969. Today, it is published across multiple media platforms and updated constantly to bring the latest news and analyses to its readers.

新報人

新報人(SPY)創刊於1970年，因應傳媒業變革及科技進步，發展成多媒體資訊平台，並持續更新新聞資訊。新報人奉行編輯自主，自我管理的原則，實踐新聞自由理念。