Indoor screens will be put up to broadcast the midnight revelry at the tower as visitors descend on Cheung Chau
Two large indoor screens will be put up at Cheung Chau to broadcast the bun scrambling competition at midnight on Sunday in anticipation of the thousands expected to flock to the island to witness the return of the tradition.
It is understood that only 1,000 spectators will be allowed to watch the 12 finalists climb the 14-metre steel tower at the football pitch next to Pak Tai Temple. Those who fail to get in can view the contest live on screens at the two government sports complexes on Tai Hing Tai Road and Cheung Chau Sports Road. The venues are expected to accommodate 1,200 people.
The bun snatch contest - traditionally the highlight of the annual Bun Festival - was banned in 1978 after a bamboo tower collapsed and injured 100 climbers and onlookers. The steel tower was erected by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department this year, following islanders' demand for a revival of the game last year.
Although the turnout at the parade, to be held at 1.30pm on Sunday, is expected to be at least 50,000, organisers think that a significant portion of the crowd will have left the island by midnight.
New World First Ferry Services will run two large ferries to Central after the bun climb.
But there is concern that the live broadcast will put off visitors.
