Running on the theme “Reunion under the Moonlight”, the 4-day mid-autumn celebration brimming with festive activities at Ipoh Parade concluded today.
After a 3 year-hiatus due to the pandemic, the festivities were a hit with the crowd especially during its main highlight held yesterday, an acrobatic lion dance championship with 12 elite troupes from all over Malaysia competing for a whopping RM17,200 prize pool.
Attracting some 5,000 spectators, the much-awaited competition marked the second collaboration between the mall with the Catholic High School Alumni Association Dragon & Lion Dance Troupe as well as the Hong Teik Lion and Dragon Dance Association.
The gravity-defying showcase at the mall’s main court featured agile Chinese martial arts on high poles as tall as 8 feet performed to rhythmic, thundering drum beats among others.
Khuan Loke Dragon & Lion Dance Association from Petaling Jaya emerged champion, taking home RM5,000 worth of prizes. Meanwhile, Rawang Selangor Dragon & Lion Dance Association and the Kuantan Builder’s Association Lion & Dragon Dance Club were crowned first runner-up and second runner-up respectively.
“We are glad that we are able to bring back such a riveting event that is much loved and sorely missed by the community. With this, the celebration at Ipoh Parade has come full circle, and we are happy to end it on a high note,” Lim Huey Tyng, Assistant Manager of Advertising and Promotions of Ipoh Parade expressed.
Equally popular was the eco-friendly lantern-making contest, complete with prizes totalling RM3450.
A total of 110 participants competed in both the on-site challenge (opened to 10 to 15-year-olds with each participant accompanied by one adult) and off-site challenge (opened to all ages in which participants were to complete their lanterns from home before bringing them to the venue to be judged).
Co-organised with 23 Lions Clubs in Perak, participation was free. The Lions Clubs also invited 15 children from the Rainbow Children’s Home to join in the creative event.
Using primarily recyclables, an array of colourful lantern designs were submitted.
The top spot of the off-site challenge was seized by 8-year-old Tham Yi Hong, accompanied by his 54-year-old grandmother, Madam Loh. His winning lantern, the Environmental Friendly Jade Rabbit, took 3 weeks to complete.
The full list of winners for the off-site challenge as follows:
Champion – Tham Yi Hong
1st Runner-up – Choo Yong Hong
2nd Runner-up – Chong Yu Wei
Consolation Prizes – Saw Phooi Hong, Woo Mei Shan, Elaine Teoh, Choo Ying Hong and Wong Yi Xiang
As for the on-site challenge, two brothers, 12-year-old Teh Ming Jun and 11-year-old Teh Ming Hing, became the champion and second runner-up respectively for Category A. Their mother, 39-year-old Madam Lee had learnt lantern-making from young from her 58-year-old mother, Madam Yap. Lee, who works as a clerk, is now sharing her passion with her two sons.
The full list of winners for the on-site challenge as follows:
Category A (10-12 years old)
Champion – Teh Ming Jun
1st Runner-up – Tan Wen Jie
2nd Runner-up – Teh Ming Hing
Consolation Prizes – Hooi Jun Jie, Chong Yong Lin, Wong Wei Eun, Priyaashine A/P Shahmugan and Thenmoli A/P Wediveloo
Category B (13-15 years old)
Champion – Andriana Chung Zhi Yin
1st Runner-up – Sarah
2nd Runner-up – Julie
Consolation Prizes – Naomi, Janani A/P Suresh, Kaviyarasi, Sharon and Kiruba
“Year after year, the designs never cease to amaze us,” Lim Huey Tyng added.
There was something for everyone as other family-friendly activities included LED lion dance performance, lantern parade, traditional costume photo booth, oriental-themed workshop of art and craft, calligraphy demonstration as well as art and sculpture exhibition.
by Tan Mei Kuan
