Hong Kong Flower Show opens (with photos)

     The annual spectacular Hong Kong Flower Show opened at Victoria Park today (March 15) with some 420 000 flowers on display, including about 40 000 Chinese hibiscus as the theme flower.
 
     Officiating at the opening ceremony were the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam; the Acting Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Jack Chan; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Dr Anthony Chow; and Miss Hong Kong 2018 Hera Chan.
 
     A colourful tapestry of flowers flows from the Hing Fat Street entrance, from which visitors can pass a rainbow tunnel, a teddy bear and hot air balloons to enter a fairy-tale world. Thereafter, there are antelopes and zebras galloping across a splendid carpet of flowers in a jungle adventure, and a brilliant sea of bright Chinese hibiscus visited by bees and butterflies, showcasing a world of colours and joy.
 
     The entrance at Sugar Street is equally attractive with the design of the parterre combining elements of rail tracks and station platforms. An old-style train from the showground's centre stage goes through a mountain and a tunnel amid undulating rainbow bands made of blossoms, presenting a journey back to the past while also embracing the future.
 
     The student drawing competition held today attracted about 2,100 participants, who enjoyed drawing pictures of the scenes and displays. Members of the public were also delighted in taking photos of spectacular exhibits, including a colourful Hong Kong Flower Show floral wall, seas of tulips and Chinese hibiscus displays.
 
     The Hong Kong Flower Show has launched public voting for "The most popular garden plot in 18-district competition" and "The garden plot with best local characteristics in 18-district competition", and members of the public can vote via QR codes on-site or vote online.
 
     This year's flower show has enhanced environmental protection measures and encourages participating organisations, contractors, volunteers and members of the public to make concerted efforts under the slogan "Green Flower Show for All". At the showground, there are waste separation bins and recyclables collection points to collect cartoon boxes, plastic flower pots, glass bottles, wilted flowers, soil and more, with the event's green ambassadors on-site to guide the public. To help protect the environment, visitors are encouraged to bring their own bottles, cutlery and environmentally friendly bags. Free lending of reusable tableware has also been arranged to reduce the use of disposable tableware.
 
     The flower show has also invited local artists, designers and horticulturists to utilise and recycle trees felled by Typhoon Mangkhut to create sculptures, furniture, art installations and landscape displays. These are showcased in the showground of the flower show to promote the spirit of "Junk! Woodworking" while enhancing environmental protection and upcycling wooden waste.
　　
     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will hold a Green Recycling Day after the completion of the flower show. Tertiary students, green volunteers and ambassadors, young ambassadors, and volunteers from the LCSD, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the commercial sector will assist in sorting at the showground for the recovery and recycling of flower display materials. In addition, flowers and plants suitable for replanting will be distributed to schools, environmental groups, non-governmental organisations and the public.
 
     The flower show will be held until March 24 from 9am to 9pm daily. Admission tickets are available for sale through the mobile application "Tap & Go" and at the entrances to the Victoria Park showground throughout the show period. Octopus can also be used to pay for admission. Tickets are also available for sale at the LCSD's District Leisure Services Offices until March 22.
 
     For enquiries, please call 2601 8260 or visit the flower show webpage www.hkflowershow.hk/en/hkfs/2019/index.html.
 
     The flower show is organised by the LCSD. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust is supporting the flower show for the seventh consecutive year and has been the Major Sponsor of the flower show since 2014.