By Aileen Yap
KUCHING (Dec 5) — More than 7,000 Christians are expected to participate in the Kuching Christmas Parade 2024 this Saturday.
Besides the singing of Christmas carols, there will also be 11 beautiful and colourful Christmas floats depicting the Nativity Scene, Angels, Shepherds and Sheep, Wise Men, and others.
The Boys’ and Girls’ Brigades will also send six marching bands to join the parade.
Organised by the Association of Churches Sarawak (ACS) and Sarawak Evangelical Christian Association (Seca), this year’s host is the Methodist Church SCAC.
The other participating churches are Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Methodist Church SIAC, BEM (SIB) Church, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, The Salvation Army, Sarawak Baptist Church, Sarawak Blessed Church, as well as Seca member churches Christ Baptist Church, City Harvest Church, Hope Church Kuching, and GIS Gospel Harvest Kuching.
“All parade participants are advised to assemble at MBKS Jubilee Ground (adjacent to Chung Hua Primary School No. 3) at 6pm,” ACS secretary general Elder Ambrose Linang told a press conference.
The programme will begin with a praise and worship session at 6.30pm, followed by commencement of the 4km parade at 7pm, and gift distribution to members of the public at 8.15pm.
Those joining the parade themed ‘Peace be with you!’ are encouraged to prepare Christmas gifts, which will be distributed to the public.
Participants are expected to be back at the MBKS Jubilee Ground by 9.30pm.
“The aim of the Christmas parade is to showcase the true meaning of Christmas, which will bring blessing, harmony, unity, goodwill, and inclusivity for all the peoples of Kuching and Sarawak at large,” Ambrose said.
He called on Kuching residents to celebrate Christmas together in peace and harmony.
“Let us come together because diversity is strength, diversity is beautiful, and diversity is ‘delicious’ among all the people of Kuching and Sarawak.
“Let us not allow racial polarisation and religious extremism to destroy the fabric of our society,” he said.
He encouraged everyone to remember that Kuching has always been a great city to live in; full of harmony, colourful events, and people.
“Kuching is a city of unity. We have so many reasons to be proud of Kuching.
“Let this parade be a melting pot of different faiths, cultures, languages, ethnicities, and diversity,” he added.
From the MBKS Jubilee Ground, the parade will move to Jalan Padungan, Jalan Tun Abdul Rahim (Waterfront), Lebuh Temple (Harbour View Hotel), Lebuh Wayang (Medan Pelita), Jalan Tabuan (Borneo Hotel), and Jalan Ban Hock (Grand Continental Hotel/MBKS flats) before returning to the MBKS Jubilee Ground.
Traffic along the parade route will be affected from 7pm to 9pm, while access to the MBKS Jubilee Ground will be restricted from 5pm.
For further information, call event organising chairman William Ting on 019-8164385 or event coordinator Samuel Ting on 016-8605496.
