TINGHA’S Chinese Lantern Festival
returns this weekend following a three-year break due to the pandemic, with
visitors to the event coming from as far afield as Sydney and Brisbane.
Festival organisers, Tingha
Citizens Association have unveiled a lively program of free events which will
be held 3-4 March.
President of the Tingha Citizens
Association, Colleen Graham says the festival celebrates the contribution
Chinese-Australians made to the story of Tingha, originating with the discovery
of tin in the 1870’s.
“At the height of the tin mining
boom, Tingha’s population was close to 6,000, and one quarter of residents were
Chinese, who worked in the mines and also as shopkeepers and merchants”.
“This year, we gratefully received
a grant from the State Government, which buoyed our spirits and we’re very
excited to be bringing a Brisbane Lion Dancing troupe to Tingha Public School on
Friday for students to watch a performance and learn the dance themselves”.
“Saturday will also include two screening
sessions in Tingha Town Hall of historical film footage and this will coincide
with market stalls and free lantern making workshops alongside the hall”.
Free tours of the State Heritage
listed Wing Hing Long Museum will take place on Saturday at 10.30am and 1.30pm
and include a complimentary Devonshire Tea. Bookings can be made by calling the
museum on 6723 3156.
“One of the highlights of the
festival will be the Chinese Banquet Dinner on Saturday night, with entertainment
provided by Errol Duck-Chong, a Sydney based composer who also previously worked
as a teacher at Inverell High School”.
“The Chinese Consulate have
donated magnificent, ornate decorations for the festival banquet and our volunteers
have been busy hanging these in the Tingha Sport and Recreation Club, which is
looking spectacular”.
“The Banquet dinner at the Tingha
Sport and Recreation Club is a ticketed event and bookings are essential. Bookings
can be made by phoning 0434 252 938”.
Pet owners are also reminded the festival
finale will feature a fireworks display at the Sport and Recreation Ground from
9.00pm on Saturday night.
