Community-based mid-Autumn carnival at Foh Sang
KOTA KINABALU: The MidAutumn Carnival at Foh Sang from October 4 to 6 is poised to revitalize the economy of the area and showcase Foh Sang as a happening community.
More than 5,000 people, including tourists, are expected to turn up at the three-day carnival.
The event is jointly organized by the Kota Kinabalu member of parliament (MP) office, Luyang state assemblyman office, Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) and Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Satta).
There will be a night market featuring over 60 stalls from October 4 to 6, while the opening ceremony by the Minister of Health and People’s Wellbeing Stephen Wong representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal will be held on October 5.
Visitors will be entertained with classic games, cultural shows, singing performances, live band, Tai Chi demonstration and lantern making competition that take will place this Friday.
Members of the public also stand a chance to win cash vouchers and air tickets during an interactive session with My Sabah radio deejays from 6pm to 8pm on October 5, and enjoy mooncakes distributed by the organizers at the opening ceremony.
Kota Kinabalu member of parliament Chan Foong Hin said the Mid-Autumn Carnival at Foh Sang would be different from the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival held at Gaya Street last Saturday.
“The Gaya Street event was more official with the presence of the Chief Minister.
“The Mid-Autumn Carnival at Foh Sang will be more community-based,” he said in a joint press conference with Luyang assemblyman Phoong Jin Zhe, Satta president Datuk Seri Winston Liaw and DBKK Corporate Affairs Department director Syron A. Tunggolou here yesterday.
Chan also hoped that the carnival would help spur the economic growth and tourism sector in Kota Kinabalu.
Meanwhile, Phoong hoped that the Mid-Autumn Carnival at Foh Sang would become an annual event for locals and tourists to enjoy the celebration.
He said the event could transform Foh Sang into a brand to attract Chinese tourists.
“My hope is to revitalize and rejuvenate Foh Sang’s economy.
“We want to show that Foh Sang can be a happening community.”
He also urged participants of the lantern parade at Gaya Street to join the lantern competition at Foh Sang as well. The winner will receive an air ticket.
Those who wish to join the lantern making competition can contact Billy Lim at 0128073203.
On the other hand, Liaw believed that some 500 tourists, particularly from China and Korea, would be visiting the carnival.
“We have been promoting the event to Chinese and Korean tourists and we expect them to come and join the celebration.”
He said the carnival also coincided with the ‘Golden Week’ holiday from September 29 to October 7 in China to celebrate the country’s national day.
As such, he believed the carnival would attract quite a number of Chinese tourists.
Members of the public are encouraged to carpool or take the e-hailing service Grab to the Mid-Autumn Carnival to reduce traffic congestion.
Phoong said Grab would be offering RM5 discount for two rides to and from the carnival for 1,000 users.
He said Grab users could enjoy the discount by entering the promo code ‘GRABFOHSANG’.
“The promotion will start from 5pm till midnight on October 5. For people living nearby, the ride is likely to be free,” he said.
Alternatively, he said drivers could park at Damai and walk over to Foh Sang.
Meanwhile, Phoong informed that a partial road closure between the Foh Sang shops would take place on the morning of October 3 and 4 for the purpose of setting up the stage and canopy.
He said the street would be fully closed from 5pm on October 4 for the night market and for the entire day on October 5.
“The street will also be partially closed on October 6. We will reopen the street to the public as soon as possible, depending on how fast we can dismantle the structures.”