THE 15-day Year of the Monkey celebration ended with a bang as thousands of visitors, including tourists, thronged the colourful
Chap Goh Meh fiesta at the Esplanade in George Town on the evening of Feb 22.
The crowd gathered at the venue as early as 6.30pm to take pictures of the beautiful lanterns of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals and the lion dance on
stilts show.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng officiated the function with exco for Tourism Development and Culture, Danny Law Heng Kiang.
Joining them were exco for Youth & Sports, Women, Family & Community Development Chong Eng, executive adviser of Penang Chinese Chamber
of Commerce, Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping, its president, Datuk Seri Choot Ewe Seng and deputy consul-general of Japan Hiroko Taniguchi.
Lim joined the orange throwing ceremony with other guests and the crowd present.
“Penang is a state that aggressively promotescultural heritage. We would like to be an exemplary city that promotes cultural heritage to all residents
regardless of race and religion,” Lim said in his speech.
“The uniqueness and harmony of Penang has attracted many local tourists to the state. Last year, Lonely Planet classified Penang
as the fourth top destination to visit in Year 2016,” he added.
He said that recently the prominent American daily LA Times named Penang as one of the “16 Must See Destinations in 2016”.
“This shows that Penang has carved a name in the international scene.”
Among the highlights at the Chap Goh Meh fiesta included Chinese orchestra and dance performance by SMK Heng Ee, SJKC
Phor Tay, Euphoria Penang, dragon dance by Ching Xing Sport and Cultural Centre and lion dance on stilts.
Some 74 babas, nyonyas and performers from a dongang sayang troupe were ferried on a Hop-On Hop-Off bus to the orange throwing ceremony.
Food lovers were spoilt for choice, as over 30 hawker stalls lined the road along Jalan Padang Kota Lama.