Dazzling display: A worker hangs lanterns up in a shop. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Colourful traditional lanterns are back, signalling that the Mid-Autumn Festival is around the corner.With less than two weeks before the festival on Sept 29, customers are coming in droves to buy lanterns for their kids for the event.
Sales are anticipated to increase soon, according to Sunshine Wholesale Mart marketing communications manager Bryan Wong, who said they have been displaying the lanterns since the end of August.
“We began stocking up on the lanterns from China over a month ago and the response has been quite good. Many parents are buying them to encourage their children to preserve Chinese culture and tradition.
“Traditional lanterns, such as those made with glass paper or folded paper, remain the most popular choice,” he said.
Wong said the Chinese community is expected to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in a grand manner now that the pandemic is virtually over.
“There are various events being organised for this festival, including lantern parades.
“We are also receiving an increase in demand for mooncakes,” he said.
The supermarket organised a lantern parade at its Bandar Baru Ayer Itam branch on Saturday.
Software engineer Low Sheau Wei, 38, was among those spotted shopping for lanterns with her sons, aged eight and five.
“They chose the traditional lanterns with the fish and chicken designs.
“Lanterns are a must-have for children as a way for them to understand more about the festival and the history behind it. I would take my kids out to buy lanterns every year.
“This year, I decided to buy the lanterns a bit earlier so that they could look forward to the festival,” she said.
Besides traditional lanterns, there are also battery-powered lanterns lit by LED bulbs on the market.
