GEORGE TOWN, Oct 3 – Straits Quay Retail Marina gave shoppers a dazzling welcome with a visual feast of mesmerizing lanterns in various shapes and characters on yesterday. The colourful atmosphere certainly brought back nostalgic moments for many, especially those who had taken part in lantern processions during their younger days.
The annual Lantern Walk was held in conjunction with the Mid-Autumn Festival or more popularly known as Mooncake Festival. The first 200 children who registered for the Lantern Walk received complimentary paper lanterns while some brought their own lanterns along.
From battery-operated lanterns with music to lanterns handmade from recyclables, the Chinese celebration turned into a multicultural event when shoppers from all walks of life brought their children to join in the fun. A unique addition to the parade was an LED dragon dance that led the parade after performing exhilarating stunts during the opening.
Those watching from afar might even have the illusion of a glowing dragon parading around the mall as the group marched from Straits Court to the Promenade with hundreds of lit lanterns. The hour-long parade was complemented with a splendid view of the iconic lighthouse, as well as the picturesque marina before ending on a high note with a finale performance by the LED Dragon Dance.
Earlier in yesterday evening, patrons participated in a lantern riddle session by trying to solve the tricky riddles hung on the lanterns at a photography corner in the Ground Floor Main Lobby. A total of 100 riddles were answered within the two-hour session, with mooncakes given as prizes for each correct answer.
