An estimated 40,000 visitors rolled into Cheung Chau Island yesterday to watch the annual Bun Festival - highlighted by a parade of floats and the finale of the bun-scrambling competition.

The centuries-old festival, also known as Tai Ping Qing Jiao, is a testiment to the unity and peace of the islanders.

Participants displaying traditional Chinese Opera costumes dance among the crowd during yesterday's Bun Festival parade on Hong Kong's Cheung Chau Island. Photos by AP

The parade "Float Procession" kicked off the celebration at the square of Pak Tai Temple at 2pm. The atmosphere was electric.

During the three-hour procession, speculators packed the streets through which 16 teams paraded, most featuring children dressed as public or traditional figures.

To welcome the coming Beijing Olympics, the Games became the main theme of the parade.

Many of the young actors and actresses put on sports clothes to portray athletes such as world cycling champion Wong Kam-po and "ping pong duet" Ko Lai-chak and Li Ching.

Children dressed as equestrians and torch bearers holding replica Olympic torches were also carried high through narrow alleys. Spectators seemed to embrace the Olympic theme.

One person told a cable television station that the theme matched the jubilation felt from China hosting the Games.

Some speculators adored the actor made up to resemble Wong. The child was honored to portray the cyclist. Political figures, including legislator Anson Chan Fang On-sang and member of the Commission on Strategic Development Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, were also characterized.

The two women took part in the Legislative Council Hong Kong Island Geographical Constituency By-election last year.

New World First Ferry Services Limited doubled the number of trips between Cheung Chau and Central during the day to facilitate passenger flow.

The Hong Kong Cheung Chau Bun Festival Committee estimated that 40,000 visitors came to the island.

The visitors boosted business at local shops, particularly those that sold bun-related souvenirs.

Because of inflation, bakeries charged HK$6 for each bun, HK$1 more than last year.

Still, shop owners expected business to increase by as much as 20 percent.

A woman who lives in Tai Po arrived at Cheung Chau in the morning. "I will buy 100 buns for my family and relatives," she told the cable TV station, saying the buns are a symbol of peace.

Other souvenirs, such as bun-like cushions and key-holders, also sold well.

The festival finale, at midnight, was a bun-scrambling competition in which 12 contestants took part.

It was the fourth-straight year the competition was allowed following a government ban on the competition 30 years ago after the wall collapsed.

There were 9,000 buns on a 14-meter tall steel tower.

Just 1,500 tickets were offered to speculators to watch the competition at the soccer pitch of the Cheung Chau Pak Tai Temple Playground, owing to limited space.

(HK Edition 05/13/2008 page2)