Visitors and residents are now able to indulge themselves in a series of romantic and spectacular activities with the opening of the Hong Kong WinterFest, a month-long extravaganza of fun-filled events, early this month.
The unique festive celebration, running until Jan. 5, 2003, was kicked off on Dec. 1 with a dazzling Switch-On Ceremony that included the lighting of a magnificent, giant Xmas Wishing Tree decked out in thousands of lights, and other festive Christmas lighting all over town.
The events will build up to a three-day high energy City of Life Street Carnival from Dec. 20 to Dec. 22. Visitors and residents are also able to enjoy great dining with Themed Food Districts' festivals, and winter and Christmas shopping sales.
Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), Clara Chong, said that the 35-meter Xmas Wishing Tree was likely to gain recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest, all-weather Christmas Wishing Tree.
"Santa Claus will be flying to Hong Kong from Finland to join the festivities and greet his large following of admirers between Dec. 20 and Dec. 22," Chong said during the festival launch.
The Wishing Tree is decorated with blue and silver Christmas balls and covered with more than 20,000 light bulbs in four different colors. The lights are illuminated by a computerized light system that can create 68 different lighting effects.
Chong said visitors and residents could make a wish by simply filling in a "Wish Form" and handing it to the HKTB staff on site.
Starting from Dec. 1, both visitors and local residents could visit KHTB's website at DiscoverHongKong.com to transmit their wishes to the Wishing Tree.
All the wishes will appear on an electronic monitor next to the Wishing Tree after being scrutinized. From 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. each night, a lucky wish maker would be selected every 30 minutes. His or her wish would be shown on a giant LED board and the likelihood of the wish coming true would be indicated by the level of lighting reached on the Xmas Wishing Tree. The wish maker will receive a souvenir.
The WinterFest is set to reach its climax between Dec. 20 and Dec. 22 as a three-night outdoor party, the City of Life Street Carnival will be presented under different themes each evening.
Chong said the star-studded performance would feature 54 local, Asian and international pop singers, musicians and bands including household names such as world-renowned pianist Yundi Li, international musician Eugene Pao and world-known bands The Planets and Beatle Mania Live. -- The Jakarta Post