X'mas Parade @ Sibu

In Sibu, The Sarawak Association of Churches, Sibu branch will hold an annual X'mas parade on the Saturday before the actual Christmas Day. This year it was held on the 20th December.

As usual, the parade will start off from the town square. Here are some of the view of the well lit X'mas trees at the town square which I had highlighted before.

Here were the various groups from different churches and bands from around Sibu. I would say something miracle happened that day. It had been a crazy weather here for a week or so as it had been raining continuously. I remember it was still raining heavily around 5 and 6.30pm.

Anyway, the parade started about 7.30pm and the rain had stopped around 7.15pm although the clouds still appear dark

We stationed ourselves at Island Road, next to the Town Square to get a good view of the parade. The town folks pretty much came in full force to watch the parade as there still a possibility of heavy rain during the parade. People from all walks of life and background converge at the town square to to jointly witness the event

The participants from various churches and school bands with candle lights, lantern and colourful floats. Sweets will also be distributed for children during the parade

This float depict a tugboat. Sibu is famous for constructing tugboat.

The "train" float with it's "steam" engine and horn

Santa Clause in motorcycle instead of a reindeer

Girl's Brigade bands from different schools around the town.

The Boy's Brigade bands in action

This is rather special. The Scout band with Scottish kilt and musical instrument

The float with the "Bird Nest" the Beijing Olympic main stadium as the theme

More videos from the parade

The parade ended about 9pm and it was a colourful event. However, the quality of the float had dropped if comparison with previous years were taken into account. I reckon the financial crisis also had hit the shore of some of the churches here.