Caribbean carnival to bring an exotic flavour to Lan Kwai Fong
Dancers, drummers and clowns are among the colourful characters that will grace the streets of Lan Kwai Fong next month in a three-day Caribbean carnival.
This will be the second annual carnival for the popular bar district in Central, following the success of last year's Brazilian-themed event, which attracted about 60,000 people during the three days.
The carnival will start on November 21 and continue through the weekend until late Sunday night, with bars opening earlier.
About 75 stalls with food, beer and arts and crafts items for sale will fill D'Aguilar Street and Lan Kwai Fong. A special children's area in Woo On Lane will feature a floating castle, clowns, magicians and finger painting.
Aviva Graeve, spokeswoman for Lan Kwai Fong Entertainments, said organisers hoped to make the carnival an annual fixture following last year's success.
'Every big city in the world has a carnival,' she said. 'There's no reason why Hong Kong shouldn't have one.'
The Lan Kwai Fong Association, which represents most businesses - about 70 restaurants, bars and shops - has sponsored the $2 million event.
Ms Graeve said she expects a good turnout because of more mainland tourists.
Building facades will be decorated with grass, giant fruits will be hung and palm trees will line the footpaths. All performers are artists who are based in Hong Kong, including musicians, dancers, clowns, mime artists and jugglers.
Mamadou M'Baye, a dance teacher from Senegal, will perform a traditional South African dance with two other drummers.
