Ting (right) and representatives from various churches are seen during a photo call to promote the parade.
KUCHING: The 10th Kuching Christmas Parade expects 10,000 participants to spread the message of peace and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with city folk tomorrow (Dec 3).
Organised by Kuching Methodist Churches, the theme of this year’s parade is ‘God So Loved The World’.
The annual parade, which is expected to start at 7.15pm, aims to share the love of God through Jesus Christ as the gift for the people of Kuching.
Organising chairman William Ting said Christian churches here are sending some 7,000 members to take part in this year’s grand parade.
“For the last nine years, the biggest number of participants was 8,000 in one particular year and the rest were less,” he told a press conference yesterday.He said based on the traditions of Christmas carolling, church members will hold candles and sing Christmas carols to play the role of angels proclaiming the birth of Jesus Christ more than 2,000 years ago.
Among the traditional hymns expected are ‘Silent Night’, ‘Joy to the World’, ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’, ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ and ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’.
“The parade also displays colourful costumes such as Joseph and Mary, angels, shepherds, wise men from the East, symbolising the ancient people visiting the newborn Jesus Christ during the first Christmas.
“Street performances by shofarists, native drummers, tambourine dancers and musical bands will also be carried out during the parade,” said Ting.
The Boys’ and Girls’ Brigades will send six marching bands to join the parade.
He added that participants will give away Christmas gifts, balloons and tracts to the public.
“The churches are also presenting at least 10 colourful Christmas floats during the parade,” added Ting.
Tomorrow, participants will first assemble at the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Jubilee Ground before departing for Jalan Padungan, passing by Jalan Tun Abdul Karim (Waterfront), Temple Street (Harbour View Hotel), Wayang Street (Medan Pelita), Jalan Tabuan (Ting & Ting Supermarket), Jalan Ban Hock (Grand Continental Hotel and KMC flats) and finally return to the starting point – an estimated 4km.
Meanwhile, the road near MBKS Jubilee Ground will be restricted to traffic from 5pm to 10pm for the parade.
Traffic along the parade route will also be affected between 7pm and 9pm.
The participating churches are Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Methodist Church (SCAC), Methodist Church (SIAC), Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB), The Salvation Army, Sarawak Baptist Church, Blessed Church, Good News Fellowship, Sarawak Grace Church, Bethany Church, Hope Church Kuching, City Harvest Church and Amazing Grace Church.