Pesta Kebudayaan Cina Malaysia Ke-25

This festival is organized by the Dewan Perhimpunan Cina Kedah. Yesterday was the first night and it will end this coming Sunday (12th October). According to the brochure brought back by Daughter, they've actually lined up quite a lot of activities, competitions and cultural shows.

As we were on our way back after picking Son up, we thought we'd stop by. Couldn't find parking so Father and Son went down to 'look see' while I tried to look for a place to wait for them. So these are accounts from their eyes. Mine were locked to the road trying to find an empty spot! 8(

From across the river, the lights gave Pekan Cina an air of festivity. The road leading into Pekan Cina was closed to traffic.

Father and Son 'were greeted' by this trooping out of the 'imperial-looking' flers. Costumes were nice. 8)

Dunno when these two flers joined the imperial household but they were obviously enjoying themselves following the 'imperial' procession.

This looks like a horse of some sort, seahorse maybe? It's a nice enough lantern though. Must have taken quite a bit of work.

These actually look quite beautiful .. lanterns of local fruits. You have our Malaysian king of the fruits, the hairy rambutans, pumpkins and bananas.

The Menteri Besar was there for the opening ceremony. These are real officials... not pseudo, mind you. 8)

There was also a booth for SJK(C) Pumpong. The school is currently squatting at the Wawasan School Complex in Anak Bukit, awaiting the construction of their own buildings. The old premise was sitting on a land opposite the Wisma Negeri. The State Gahmen has taken the land back.

They even got a clown to advance their cause. This is a very 'kwai' looking clown. 8) Hope they will be able to raise necessary funds. Apparently the news State Gahmen has approved a piece of land and construction is to start soon. Son went to that school.

But apart from the little cultural elements which were evident yesterday night, the place felt more like a pasar malam. Maybe, the rain dampened the mood somewhat earlier but for a small city like Alor Star, the pesta is still enough to excite her people cos the place was definitely brimming with people ... all looking for some entertainment and a place to hang out.