THE annual Chap Goh Meh celebration at Taman Jaya in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, will be held on March 3, featuring mandarin orange tossing, lion dances and a fireworks display.
Event organising chairman Loh Y Lun, who is also the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Zone 8 councillor, said the aim was to attract more young people to the event.
“This year we are hoping to get more young people to come and properly understand this Chinese tradition,” he said during a briefing attended by fellow councillors Ong Yew Thai, RK Nalina Nair, Yip Sean Yi, M. Kusaaliny and Tan Wei Kiat.
Among the highlights are performances by multiple lion dance troupes, student wushu and the traditional game of diabolo (Chinese yo-yo ), line dancing and face-changing acts.
World champion Khuan Loke Dragon and Lion Dance Association dance troupe from Kampung Baru Sungai Way is also set to perform.
Chap Goh Meh, which means “15th night” in Hokkien, marks the final day of the Chinese New Year festivities.
Traditionally, the tossing of mandarin oranges during Chap Goh Meh was linked to courtship customs.
Unmarried women would write their names and contact details on mandarin oranges before tossing them into rivers or lakes, in the hopes that a potential suitor would retrieve the fruit, creating an opportunity for connection.
Loh said this tradition would be observed during this year’s celebration at the lake in Taman Jaya, with organisers preparing 5,000 oranges for visitors.
He said the celebration was open to the public.
“We would like to invite everyone, young and old as well as from different races, because this is a cultural exchange and not a religious event,” he said, adding that some 3,000 people attended last year’s event.
Damansara MP Gobind Singh Deo and Kinrara assemblyman Ng Sze Han are expected to attend.
Loh said that as the programme was taking place during Ramadan, visitors were welcome to break fast at the park while watching the performances.
Food vendors will be present to cater to visitors, he added.
On transport and access, Loh said parking at the immediate venue would be limited.
“Parking will be reserved for vendors, but there will be alternative parking nearby, including at Amcorp Mall.
“We definitely encourage people to use the train, because the park is near the LRT Taman Jaya station,” he said.
The programme will begin at 7.30pm and expected to run until 10.30pm.
