All smiles: Visitors greeting mascots including Radio 988’s Q-Zai at the YouYouYou CNY Marketplace hosted by the station at Menara Star 2 @ Pacific Towers, Petaling Jaya. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star
PETALING JAYA: It’s a vibrant marketplace, offering handicrafts, clothes and local delights to welcome the Year of the Snake.Hosted by Chinese-language radio station 988, the lively YouYouYou Chinese New Year Marketplace is meant to provide visitors with fun-filled activities as they soak in the festive atmosphere.
“We are doing a marketplace so that we can have a longer engagement session and create more opportunities for 988 to interact with our listeners,” said 988 Radio senior general manager Woo Bee Ay.
This is the first time the radio station is hosting a marketplace for Chinese New Year, she said.
The location – Menara Star 2 @ Pacific Towers – is ideal as there are many young people and students in the area, thus providing good footfall traffic, she said.
Indeed, the marketplace was well-patronised yesterday by young couples and groups of friends, among others.
There are over 50 different stalls at the marketplace.
Woo said that 988 has set up a booth as well where visitors can buy 988’s exclusive giftbag, which has its annual CNY album titled Hundred Homes of Happiness.
988 DJ Cassey, who was present, said many festive performances await visitors at the marketplace, which will take place till tomorrow.
“Over the weekend, we have exciting performances like the lion dance, 24 festival drums, Chinese orchestra, traditional diabolo and many more.
“Visitors can come and enjoy the performances while buying some tidbits to snack on.”
She said the marketplace is a good opportunity for visitors to prepare for Chinese New Year and get new clothes and other goods.DJ Jeff said the radio station has provided a platform for deejays to foster a close relationship with listeners.
“We are happy to have an opportunity to interact with our listeners, besides buying CNY goods and playing games together.”
His Chinese New Year wish to the people?
“May money snake up on you!” he said.
Executive Tommy Wong, 24, who works in the area, said he noticed a lively atmosphere since Thursday, so he brought his friends to visit the marketplace yesterday.
“I enjoyed it.”
Wong and his friends bought the popular tanghulu (candied fruit), besides taking photos of their surroundings.
Retiree Tony Pang, 60, also came to the marketplace with his wife and explored the booths.
“We live nearby so we decided to have a look.”
He said that this is one of the more vibrant events that he had seen in the area.
“It is good for our community,” he added.
Over this weekend, the marketplace will be running from 10am to 10pm.
Visitors will get to meet their favourite DJs and 988 mascot, Q-Zai.
