Painting Miri City red for Year of the Horse

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The festive Chinese New Year season is back and shopping malls and hotels in Miri are trying to out-do each other in painting the town red with a sea of decoration that heralds the Year of the Horse on Jan 31 this year.

In-house designs are more spectacular and eye-catching in both design and size, creating the ambiance and mood for shopping with festive music in the air and promotions to lure in shoppers and diners.

An integral cog of any festivities promotion, designers are hard at work on seasons decorations in malls, hotels and restaurants.

Ranging from classic to modern decorations, it is also the key to keep the cash register ringing with shoppers making a beeline to shopping malls hunting for bargains in a conducive atmosphere.

At Boulevard Shopping Mall, the 42-foot Christmas tree, the tallest in the city, has now given way to an array of Chinese New Year decorations which would include a ride-able “horse” and a photo booth next week.

“Children can mount this ride-able horse and visitors can take pictures in the booths,” said Konny Koh, senior executive in charge of function and marketing of Boulevard Shopping Mall.

Around town, bright red lanterns adorn major street corners, more so in shopping malls. This year, they all revolve around a common theme of the Year of the Horse.

The Borneo Post checked out the popular malls in town and found that stringed lights, bright and beautiful flowers such as peach blossoms and peonies greet shoppers at mall entrances, to set the tone and mood which is accentuated with a generous display of red coloured set pieces and lanterns.

The Chinese lunar calendar has 12 zodiac animals, with the Year of the Wooden Horse arriving to take its place as the Year of Black Water Snake slithers off.

Horse statues have sprung up across the city, portrayed as majestic animals which symbolise leadership and freedom.

Eager shoppers swarm the shopping malls in town, taking in the sight and senses of the multicoloured hues of this year’s Chinese New Year decorations.

In the newly opened Permaisuri Imperial City Mall this week, the decorations double up for the opening ceremony and as decorations for Chinese New Year. Pink and red balloons adorn the building’s pillars while a large white horse statue commands the stage. Brightly-coloured electronic flowers bloom in full view while a string of lanterns suspends from the ceiling.

Just opposite Permaisuri Mall, Imperial Mall is also getting prepared for the Chinese New Year festivities. Stages are being set up and at one entrance, displays were already up.

Meanwhile, in Bintang Megamall, a golden horse statue stands on stage amidst flowers of pink, red, and yellow. Bright red brick pillars guard the display. The whole scene sits upon a stage in the mall’s new wing.

In Boulevard Shopping Complex, beautiful peach blossoms of pink, white, and red adorn the multiple fountains there. Both traditional and modern large lanterns are suspended from the ceiling.

Sales of decorative items for homes have also begun with many shoppers purchasing lanterns, welcome mats, bamboo plants and decorative pieces for their homes.

A festive mood permeates the air as the various Chinese New Year decorations adorn every pillar and ceiling in the shopping centres.