BATU PAHAT: It’s more than two weeks to Chinese New Year but this town is already celebrating the occasion with a special parade.

Thousands gathered along the streets in the town centre to catch the 3.5km long spectacle, which, in keeping with the Year of the Fire Rooster, featured cockerel-themed floats as well as lion and dragon dance performances and marching bands.

The parade had started at about 5.30pm from the Tian Hao Temple near Jalan Fatimah before winding towards Dataran Batu Pahat along Jalan Penggaram Batu Pahat.

Housewife Nazila Masrom, 35, who was spotted watching the dragon dance with her excited seven-year-old daughter, said she looked forward to the parade every year.

“I live just a stone’s throw away from the Dataran. So, we always get the best seats. We also love watching the cultural dances,” she said.

Retiree A. Manokaran, 64, said the residents always looked forward to such celebrations to liven up the town.

“The Chinese New Year parade is a particular favourite of mine as I love the marching bands and the stunts by the lion and dragon dance performers.

“This year, I decided to bring my nine-year-old grandson along and he seems to be very excited about Chinese culture,” he said.

Sales manager Julie Chua, 46, said she was delighted to see so many non-Chinese joining in the celebration with their families and friends.

The celebration was launched by MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, who, in his speech, wished the townsfolk a prosperous year ahead.

The various ethnic groups present in the crowd, he said, reflected the Malaysian spirit of tolerance and respect for each other.

“I am proud of the non-governmental groups that have successfully put together the parade and the festive spirit among the community regardless of race or creed.

“Batu Pahat is a district with so much potential and has been chosen as one of the six stops along the High Speed Rail. With better connectivity, tourism is likely to boom,” he said.

-The STAR-