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SINGAPORE: River Hong Bao celebrations for 2010 look set to usher in the Lunar New Year in authentic Chinese fashion.



This year's event is co-organised by China's Chengdu government, and will see a record 88 lanterns on display.

Aside from the perennial favourites such as the God of Fortune and animals from the Chinese zodiac, visitors can also look forward to lanterns made of sugar and even ceramic spoons.

Into its 24th year now, the River Hong Bao will also feature traditional handicrafts from Chengdu and the city's unique street food culture.

The event will be held at the Marina Bay floating platform, with festivities carried out over nine days starting from February 12.

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Rachel Chan
Tue, Jan 05, 2010
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VISITORS to this year's River Hongbao can expect to see the largest lantern display ever held on the floating platform at Marina Bay.

The 88 groups of lanterns, from Chengdu, will be on display from Feb 12 to 20 - the 24th year of the celebrations that take place over Chinese New Year.

The lanterns will be some of the most spectacular ever displayed at River Hongbao, said the organising committee's chairman, Mr Liang Eng Hwa, yesterday. The largest one is about 18m tall, the Member of Parliament for Holland- Bukit Timah GRC said.

 
Other than displaying lanterns of the familiar God of Fortune and the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, the exhibition will feature lanterns made of sugar and porcelain spoons.

Some of them will be mechanised and interactive.

More than 180 people from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, will be involved in staging River Hongbao this year.

This is the first time that the organising committee has roped in the Chengdu city government to participate in the Chinese New Year festivities here.

Both parties signed a memorandum of understanding for this collaboration on Nov 10 last year.

Normally, the River Hongbao organising committee sub-contracts the work to third parties, such as creative-design firms and performing troupes.

The five key organisers for this event are Singapore Press Holdings (SPH), Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations, People's Association, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Singapore Tourism Board.

With the high level of involvement of the Chengdu people this year, the tally of visitors from the sub-provincial city for the event is expected to hit 300.

They will bring a second highlight to this year's gala event: A food fair featuring mostly Sichuan food.

More than 30 kitchen staff are being flown in to prepare up to 50 different Chengdu specialities, said Mr Lim Huan Chiang, vice-president of SPH's cultural- industry promotion department.

Performances will also be held on every night of the nine-day fiesta, put up by 45 performers from Chengdu, 40 from Taiwan, and others from Singapore.

The organising committee hopes that this year's event will attract more than 300,000 visitors, up from last year's estimated 150,000 to 200,000.

Invited residents from Singapore's five districts can also take free shuttle services to the event.



This is the second year that River Hongbao will be held at The Float@Marina Bay.

But the opening hours will be extended this year. The venue will open at noon daily, instead of the previous year's 6pm, to accommodate visitors who might want to catch a glimpse of the lanterns in the day, said Mr Liang.

The venue will close at 11.30pm, with the exception of the night of the countdown to Chinese New Year, on Feb 13.

Talks are ongoing with City Tours - a private sightseeing and transportation company that runs a free shuttle service from the airport to town - for tourists who have more than five hours in transit in Singapore to visit River Hongbao.

Mr Liang said that the organising committee will control human traffic on the platform more strictly, because the many lanterns on the platform will weigh more than those in previous years, and affect the platform's capacity.

He said: "We will be more stringent than last year. There will be safety officers at the entrances to make sure that visitor capacity is not exceeded."

rachchan@sph.com.sg
 

Into its 24th year, River Hongbao 2010 will usher in the year of the Tiger with a big bang. This is the second time River Hongbao will be held on The Float @ Marina Bay (previously known as Marina Bay Floating Platform). The festivities will last throughout for 9 days from 12th to 20th February 2010 with the closing on the 7th day of the Chinese New Year. In addition, unlike last year, the opening hours would be extended to start from 12 noon daily and continue all the way into the night and close at 11:30pm (except for the night of CNY Eve with countdown).



The theme of River Hongbao 2010 will be 推“成”促“新”迎虎年which means “Welcoming the Year of the Tiger through promotion of Chengdu to enhance the offering of River Hongbao in Singapore and promote close ties and collaboration between Singapore and Chengdu City“ in Chinese. This is the first time River Hongbao is supported by a Government to Government level collaboration through Singapore-Sichuan Trade and Investment Committee. The MOU for the collaboration was signed on 10 Nov 09 between the River Hongbao 2010 Organising Committee and Chengdu City Government.

Under the collaboration, visitors to River Hongbao 2010 will be treated with exciting experiences enriched with light and sound, culture and food and fun. The venue will come alive at night with beautifully crafted lanterns from Chengdu against the magnificent backdrop of Marina Bay front. Some of the lanterns to look forward to in addition to the traditionally popular ones such as God of Fortune and Chinese Zodiac include Panda playground, Tiger Mountain, lanterns made of sugar and many ceramic spoons. A wide variety of stage performances from Chengdu, Taiwan and Singapore would cater to the tastes of young and old. There will also be cultural activities on-site such as Chinese riddle-guessing and Calligraphy. Last but not least, visitors would have the chance to taste unique delicacies from Chengdu, watch demonstration and buy handicrafts. Not forgetting children, there will also be playground on-site so that they would be able to have fun too.

Apart from preserving and reviving Chinese cultures and traditions, RHB 2010 is organized with people in mind. Therefore, heartlanders from the five community districts would be invited to River Hongbao throughout the event. In addition, the last night would specially be organized as the National Integration Night when activities are organized to integrate new immigrants so that all residents could celebrate the Chinese New Year and soak in the festive atmosphere together. More details on the series of interesting and exciting programmes would be unveiled in future press conferences and news releases!

The five key organisers for this event are Singapore Press Holdings, Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations, People’s Association, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Singapore Tourism Board. Please refer to Annex 1 for the Organising Committee line-up for River Hongbao 2010.

River Hongbao 2010 is also organised through collaboration with many other organizations such as education institutions such as Nanyang Polytechnic and Millenia Institute to immerse the students in the festivities and Chinese culture. On the last day of River Hongbao, two of the Floats from Chingay Parade would come to RHB venue so that visitors could have a closer look at the floats.



http://www.uncleringo.com.sg/riverhongbao

To allow everyone to share collected memory of River Hongbao, a “My favourite River Hongbao” photo competition will be jointly organized with the Photographic Society of Singapore from now to 27 Jan. The public can submit a memorable photo taken during past River Hongbaos via the newly revamped bilingual River Hongbao website (www.riverhongbao.sg) with a caption.

Mr Liang Eng Hwa, Chairman of River Hongbao 2010 Organising Committee, said: “After 23 years, River Hongbao has established itself as one of the signature event during our Lunar New Year festivities. While continuing with our past traditions, we would also be looking at areas where we can reinvent ourselves and try fresh ideas. We want visiting River Hongbao next year to be an even more enjoyable and meaningful experience!”

Mr Seng Han Thong, Co-Chairman of River Hongbao 2010 Organising Committee, said: “River Hongbao 2010 comes amidst the climate of economic recovery, let’s celebrate the fact that we were able to weather through the hard times together and anticipate better times to come. By leveraging on the experience of previous year, River Hongbao promises to be bigger and better this year. There is something for everyone to experience. I am confident that it will be an event to be enjoyed and looked forward to by all.”

Mr Lim Swee Say, Advisor of the Singapore-Sichuan Trade and Investment Committee (SSTIC), said: “Sichuan and Singapore are close partners in trade and investment. I am happy to see this collaboration being extended to River Hongbao and Chengdu. It serves to promote both trade and cultural exchanges between us. My best wishes for a successful staging of River Hongbao!”

THE centrepiece of the River Hongbao festival was lowered into place yesterday at the Marina Bay floating platform. Standing 18m tall - about six storeys - the God of Fortune lantern is the tallest in the festival's 24-year history.


ST PHOTO: SAMUEL HE

The God of Fortune is a Taoist deity often prayed to during Chinese New Year. About 500 light bulbs are embedded inside the lantern, sponsored by the Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple.

From 6pm till 11.30pm every day during the nine-day festival, the lantern will shoot golden leaves from its right hand every 15 to 30 minutes. An estimated 450kg of golden leaves, some of which will have digits printed on them, will be dispensed during the festival.

The River Hongbao festival will be on from Feb 12 to 20.
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_487266.html

The launch of the River Hong Bao is on Feb 12 and there will be fireworks on the Feb 12 , 13.  Just note that Feb 12 is also the date for the Sentosa Casino opening.
We will be hoping to see great festive celebration at the Singapore River and Sentosa.

River Hongbao attracts 540,000 visitors within four days
By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 16 February 2010 1337 hrs
     
Photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ping_timeout/4361468702/   

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ping_timeout/4362530028/in/set-72157623443983718/      

     
     

SINGAPORE: It's not just Resorts World at Sentosa that's drawing the crowds in Singapore over the past few days.

The River Hongbao Festival has seen more than 540,000 visitors within four days of its opening on 12 February.

According to the organisers, the number has surpassed the initial target of 300,000.

Apart from the Chengdu performances, visitors to River Hongbao on Wednesday night will be able to attend a special concert featuring popular Chinese pop songs from 1960s to the year 2000.

Visitors will get to be part of the performance when they sing along with a live band.

Famous Taiwanese singer Luo Shi Feng and popular local singer Joi Chua will be special performers for the night and they will perform their most popular songs at the concert.

Through the concert, the organiser hopes to create a memorable evening for the visitors as they celebrate the fourth day of the Lunar New Year.

River Hongbao is being held at The Float@Marina Bay (previously known as Marina Bay Floating Platform).

Compilation of all the photos of River Hong Bao
1. 

Firework at River Hong Bao 2010
For More photos: http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=656173&goto=nextnewest

2.

ChingKay Festival at River Hong Bao 2010
For more photos: http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=655991&goto=nextnewest

3.


For more photos: River Hong Bao
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?s=d3dffd0ff6d147163ad3e327b86e4c63&t=655682&goto=nextnewest


4.

For more photos: River Hong Bao
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=655993&goto=nextnewest