IPOH folks will be the first in the country to witness a Fire Dragon Dance performance during the upcoming Chinese New Year festivities at the Kinta riverfront.
The performance will be held during the Chinese Lantern Festival and Valentine’s Day Double Celebration organised by the Ipoh Chinese Chin Woo Athletic Association, SM Shen Jai, the Perak Yunting Association and the Perak Hu Clan Associations on Feb 14.
Ipoh Chinese Chin Woo Athletic Association president and organising deputy chairman Datuk Ooi Foh Sing said the fire dragon, which is made of straw and covered with incense sticks, would be about 25m long and brought in from Guangdong province, China.
“Our association members will be the ones performing the dance that requires about 60 people to prepare the incense sticks and about 10 people to carry the dragon itself,” he said.
SM Shen Jai board of governors chairman and organising deputy chairman Datuk Hew Choy Kon said the school would also be releasing traditional Chinese sky lanterns, also known as Kong Ming lanterns, during the celebration.
“We are still awaiting a permit from the Ipoh City Council, Fire and Rescue Department and Civil Aviation Department to release the lanterns.
“If all goes well, we hope to release hundreds of lanterns into the sky.
“Members of the public who want to write their names and wishes on the lanterns can do so with a minimum donation of RM88, which will go towards the school’s education fund,” he said, adding that City Motors would match the total of donations made.
City Motors group chairman and organising chairman Datuk Dr Foo Wan Kien said other programmes during the day include a 24 Seasons drum performance, variety show, cultural dances, lion dance and the throwing of mandarin oranges into the river.
Those who wish to donate for the floating lanterns can call SM Shen Jai at 05-312 6612 or 05-312 6717.