Lantern Festival to shine in February
MEDIA RELEASE
12 December 2003
Lantern Festival to shine in February
The spectacular award-winning annual Asia 2000 Chinese New Year Lantern Festival will light up Auckland's Albert Park next Waitangi Day weekend, 6 - 8 February 2004.
Firmly established as one of Auckland's most popular summer events, the fifth Lantern Festival will feature more than 100 new lantern designs made in Singapore and China, including some delightful animals such as pandas, many types of birds, the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, frogs and even a dragon. These will supplement the hundreds of existing lanterns that have thrilled visitors to the Festival in previous years.
In 2003 an estimated 120,000 Aucklanders enjoyed the Lantern Festival's non-stop family entertainment, delicious food and amazing atmosphere. The 2004 event will have all this and has also been extended to include one side of Princes Street and the Auckland City Art Gallery, which will be hosting special Lantern Festival activities.
"The 2004 Festival will greet the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese zodiac," said Asia 2000 cultural programme manager, Jennifer King. "So be on the look out for monkey lanterns hiding in the trees in Albert Park!"
"There will be exciting performers from China, plus the great food, crafts, fortune-telling, entertainment, fireworks and martial arts displays, that have made the Lantern Festival such a popular family event," said Ms King.
The Lantern Festival, which marks the end of Chinese New Year celebrations, will be held in Auckland's Albert Park from 5pm to 10.30pm on 6 - 8 February 2004.
The Lantern Festival is organised by Asia 2000 in partnership with Auckland City. HSBC is the Festival's principal sponsor, supported by First City Developments, AIA, Telecom and Cathay Pacific. Other supporters include Lee Kum Kee, Sky City Auckland, MORE FM Auckland, IndoFood, Cosco, Triangle Television and IWP Video Production.
Check out
Lantern Festival information on www.asia2000.org.nz
Also check out
the great events at the Auckland Art Gallery. Open till 10pm
during the Lantern Festival -
www.aucklandartgallery.govt.nz ENDS