Annual street parade sets Kuching City alive on Saturday

Here come the Chinese big drummers.

KUCHING, Sept 23: Thousands of people converged at the city centre on Saturday night to witness the grand finale of the Kuching City Day Street Parade 2018.

The spectacle, co-organised by Kuching South City Council (MBKS) and Kuching North City Hall (DBKU), was held in conjunction with Kuching City Day’s Pearl Jubilee celebration. Kuching was elevated to a city on Aug 1, 1988.

Participants wearing traditional ethnic costumes.
Participants masquerading as Disneyland characters.


This year’s theme was ‘Celebrating in Togetherness’ and the guests-of-honour were Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib. They were accompanied by Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian and his wife, Datin Enn Ong.

Also present were Second Minister of Finance Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, MBKS mayor Datuk James Chan, DBKU Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai, senior state government officers and community leaders.

Ming De Chinese Cultural Education Centre’s representatives in traditional Chinese costumes.
A member of the public taking a photo with a costumed parade participant.

The enthusiastic crowd swarmed the official route stretching from Jalan Padungan to Kuching Waterfront and Padang Merdeka as early as 6pm to cheer the participants who were wearing traditional costumes. Some wore costumes of Marvel Comics characters.

The famous cat statue in Padungan gaily decorated to promote this year’s parade.

The highlight of the parade was when more than 50 representatives from cultural associations, government-linked agencies and schools came together for a memorable street performance of music and dances depicting local cultures and popular movie dramas. — DayakDaily