News & Updates
Fireworks display among Gaya Christmas bash

Date Posted: 18 Dec 2008

Kota Kinabalu: Visitors to the Gaya Christmas Celebration 2008 are in for a show with a fireworks display scheduled to kick-off the annual event at Lintasan Deasoka in Gaya Street here, today (Wednesday).

Jointly organised by the Sabah Council of Churches (SCC) and City Hall, the three-day event, starting from 6pm to 11pm, will, among others, feature more than 100 stalls selling Christmas gifts, handicrafts, food and drinks.

The Christmas spirit would be further heightened with carolers accompanying guests with songs while they go about the street.

Held for the fourth consecutive year, this year's carnival, to be opened by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, promises a grander affair with performances by local artistes and Christmas carols by inter-Church choir groups, among others.

Mayor Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim, who was delighted the SCC once again teamed up with City Hall to organise the event, thanked the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman for increasing this year's allocation to RM100,000 from RM50,000 previously for the event.

Inspecting the venue on Tuesday, Iliyas, who will close the carnival on Friday, was happy with the preparations.

"(The event) is a platform to promote understanding and racial unity amongst the people during the celebration, as well as creating an event in the city for the people during the Christmas season."

Co-organising chairman, Wong King Chuong, said the Methodist Church is in charge of this year's carnival and his committee members were looking forward to a better and meaningful event.

First introduced in 2005, the carnival has been part of City Hall's calendar, attracting thousands of people from all walks of life, including tourists.

The public is reminded to use alternative routes as both roads in Block 1, Gaya Street and Bandaran Road will be closed for traffic on the carnival days.

(Source: Daily Express, 17 Dec 2008)

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