44 thoughts on “Organise the Lantern Festival 2008 at Chinese Garden”

  1. EonaldW, very happy for you that you’re now rubbing shoulders with many with lobangs.

    The task (of organising CG Lantern Festival 2008) is a mammoth one. First & foremost, you need to find a theme that can & will attract.

    With that decided, you’ll hv to source for the materials on a “if-awarded & subject to contract” basis. We’ll hv to put on standby, a sum as tender deposit which sometimes can be substantial.

    Expectedly, there’ll be a few in-the-know and experienced in event organising who too will tender. They’ll hv track records to ride on.

    It is a good opportunity for SHC but the calculations will have to be worked out almost accurately with little margin for error.

    Call me when you’re free for a drink.

  2. Hi Tim,

    Not rubbing anything with anyone lah. Just trying to highlight what projects are available on the Gebiz that may be undertaken by groups of people who can work together with a common interest. Btw closing date is 14 Apr, so a little time to think about this, maybe a join venture with Gary who is Shanghai, or Ivy(in HK) to bring in Chinese dancers, acrobats, food vendors can be an added attraction.

    Here is another one that is for Perth travel for 25 pax, this is simpler. EDUCATIONAL TOUR TO PERTH, AUSTRALIA. 22 PUPILS AND 3 FEMALE TEACHERS. 9 to 13 June to cover Air Fare, Accommodation, meals, insurance and tours. Closing date 17 Mar. Selling point will be type of conducted tour that can be arranged and price also.

  3. RonW,
    Don’t quite understand what you are saying. Is everything covered or what? I’m interested, but what are the duties? Who are the students going? What levels are they?
    Thanks.

  4. Hi Ronald

    Very imaginative for this mammoth project.

    Every year during mid Autumn festival month, Jurong Gardens will have lanterns made from Suzhou/other city (depending on the theme/scope), fireworks, children playgrounds, flea market, funfair/food fair and stage shows.

    It is usually opened by a Minister/MOS with MPs in attendance

    For a couple of years they collaborated with Walt Disney and Hello Kitty.

    You will need to work with and have STB, nation-wide grassroots and others to support.

    Are you thinking of this scale?

  5. Hi all I am not thinking, just highlighting the opportunity and you all have to do the thinking of how you all as a group can work towards the requirements. For both projects you have to cover everything from the Theme, technical, logistics, cost, manpower etc.

    For the Perth tour which is more streamlined, Mary, you can work with Joan, Eleanor and also maybe with Frank Kaw, as they have expressed interest in trying to arrange for a Perth tour. Ex-teachers with tour experience will be good starting criteria provided you all can get ticket pricing and financial backing within this short time. Nevertheless, if you can do it this time around, there is always more of such thing in December, for you all get the act together.

    Perhaps SHC after another year or 2, and having undertaken more projects like the flea market, etc can be ready for such profit making and demanding projects.

  6. Ronald

    One key requirement: large working capital, full-time dedicated united team with leadership in managing, forward planning, supervision, nationwide promotions, contractors/parties/groots/SBs/schools/MOE/clubs/travel agencies/press/manpower co-ordination and execution.

    JG was one sub under my care. Now MA Festival is outsourced.

    Please try if you have the muscles, capacity and scope.

  7. Andrew,

    What is big is relative, as it was only confined to Jap Garden. Maybe when we can get all CCs and stadiums to be involved in one big night event, with almost every children enjoying themselves in one game or another then that will be big.

    So then we will need everyone in SHC taking care of their own areas,from Changi to Jurong, Woodlands to Chinatown. The technology is there now to link everyone, so let us start thinking and plan for maybe the next year or two. We can then plan to set the Guiness book of records of largest number of lanterns being carried by each child, largest number of poeple eating moon cakes ,etc.

    Money is not the barrier if we can have the organisation, idea , team spirit, co-ordination and technology to get all wired up for the next big event. Right now we can just think, discuss, innovate and be creative while at the same getting the right people across all of Singapore. Maybe by year 2010 SHC is big enough to run this big island wide event, not just in Jap Garden.

  8. Jurong Gardens P/L manages both Chi and Jap Gardens as an on-going entity.

    MAF is a national annual event that has international tourism impact and reflection.

    Please proceed if you have an integrated dedicated f/t team of varied skills and artistic talents, scope, capacity, networks of sources, (soft, mid and hard wares), large resources and connections, including G to G relations.

    Just to instal the lanterns on site is a xxx-month project for the one-month festival; beside sourcing, selection of designs, structures and patterns, and painting of huge lighted lanterns. Where to house these Chinese artisans during the installation and dismantling period(s)?

    SHC needs to be a legal entity with formal mgt in the first instance.

    That is my two-cent input.

    Good to have an Guiness imprint for SHC, all the best.

  9. BTw, every constituency has its annual event that attracts thousands of residents and their children.

    Usually many primary school children and teachers are also involved at every constituency level.

    SCCCI celebrates that event annually too at Hill St HQ.

  11. Hi Ronald, and everybody,

    First, the idea of having a Lantern Festival is wonderful. I think this is an excellent dream item. SilverHairsClub needs many such dreams, and I have this belief too that SilverHairs have the vision, the resources and the ability to make many dreams come true.

    Three thoughts excite me too.

    1. Help me, what is the exact day and date when Mid Autumn festival celebrated. Make sure it is full moon. If it falls on a weekend, wow, your idea will work.

    2. SHC activities cater to the 45s and over. But for many of us, we have many family entities with children who pass each year without knowing what is this mid-Autumn festival. Many kids and parents just know what is a moon cake.

    3. SHC does not have a kids event. I am not sure if we shd organise a kids event, as it falls outside our objective. A few times, I have been told off that our strict rule does not support the family entity. However, I still feel strongly our objective must stay.

    But that said, I support this dream idea. And I am confident we can create this event, celebrate in the few big corners in Singapore. Keep the forum vibrant with more mid-Autumn event suggestions.

    Terence Seah

  12. Hi Andrew Kuan, sorry for misspell, will call you AndrewK in future, if that is ok?

    Terence, I am sure many of us can think of many ideas, like including origami , or the Thai lanterns that floats up in the sky, caligraphy, songs and dance items etc, cake making to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival.

    There many more people with the talent, ideas ,creativity , the roadmap is how to get them to work together harmoniously and in a business like fashion to get the funds. But for a start you are right just for the fun first.

  13. Hi Ronald

    Whatever pleases you.

    My parents and siblings, teachers, classmates and school friends call me Yoke Loon.

    Some call me KYL, my business associates, colleagues and students call me Mr Kuan or Andrew, grassroots and communities sometimes Andrew Kuan, Mr Kuan often Andrew.

    Now SHC AndrewK.

    So long it is pleasant, friendly and proper, it is fine with me: many facets and the same true-blue consistent son of Singapore.

  14. Ronald,

    Chinese speaking friends and communities call me ???, ?? or ???(an-1 de-2 lie-4)- Andrew in Chinese.

    Now you have varied choices.

    ???

  15. Well, well RonaldW, looks like we’re not quite ready for this mammoth event and will take things step by step, beginning with the flea mart when, even before the first table arrives, the issue of where to bathe has come. Yes, there’ll be teething problems everywhere but with a grin, we’ll walk thru damned them all.

    Heee, Andrew, after telling us that people call you “???, ?? or ???”, you asked for varied choices.

    As a fiend, I’ll oblige you. not least when part of yr name is Kuan which is part of LKY.

    So how abt adding these variations :-

    1. “????” (lock him up first then he’ll grow unicorn)? or

    2. “???” (mr jade)? or

    3. “???” (fierce unicorn crossing)? or finally

    4. “???” (anson kuan, bearing some resemblance with hongkong’s famous anson chan)?

  16. Hello Tim

    Are you a fiend or would be friend ?

    The Most High deliver all fiends away and protect me from all evils, snares and harms.

    Heavens give me only people who know and understand how to bless, be useful and helpful and stay away from “naughty deeds”.

    Which?

  17. Hi AndrewK is it Ok. Like myself in SHC there are a few Dennis. Some time I see a posting and it address to Dennis and its content is lengthy then I have a bit of a problem. I need to go throught it to figure out is it DennisW, DennisH or DennisT. So Can I seek your permmision for the use of “AndrewK” as in SHC posting.

    DennisH

  19. Hi Ronald,

    The Lantern Festival idea is excellent. Do make effort to follow up on this dream of yours to organise the Lantern Festival. Organise it, form your team. I think it would be nice you set a date, so that we can have this event on our calendar.

    If you are ready, I would ask you to be the Event Organiser. ok?

    Terence Seah

  20. Res, Ronald

    I concur with Terence that you think deeply and organise this Lantern Festival realistically.

    My input are for consideration of an extensive national scale at the Chinese Gardens

    Cheers,

  22. Terence, how to refuse your little boy’s dream to eat mooncakes, play with many laterns, have tea, listen to stories and have a good time?

    Andrew, since you concur that I should organise I guess you will be more than happy to help me out right. So far a start, with you being bi-lingo, can you be the one to provide the history and maybe to tell the story in Mandarin and English , how this tradition started, from where ,when and why.

    So we will need more volunteers, anyone who feels he wants to share in this festival, be in any of the following areas:

    a. Lantern making competition – judge on the simplicity of design, eco-friendly and at the same time artistic.

    Terence – hope you can get the Thai floating lantern to show how it works , but of course we have to tie it from flying away.

    b. Mooncake making competition – open to those who want to try for the fun ,etc.

    c. Tea competition – the best tasting tea that anyone can bring and serve

    The event will be a pot-luck, and I guess everyone will try to bring a box of mooncake, but it has to be of a different flavor, so that all of us can have a taste of the 88 flavors of mooncake there is. The catch is to divide the 4 mooncakes into pieces for everyone to try.

    Food competition: If anyone wants to cook or bring food that can go along with the mooncake ( then he does not have to bring the mooncake)

    Place : Bali Scoreboard ( if this is possible) as it is dark, so having laterns will make it bright and conducive) moreover it is central.

    Alternative place: Andrew Kuan’s Condo, swimming pool area ( if possible)

    Other events ?
    a. Origami lesson ( one project only , if someone wants to conduct this ) also can be a competition if there is enough interests.

    Time: 7pm , Date: Around the Mooncake festival date, one SAturday ( Terence, you and your family will around ? so which date can you make it. )

    So ,all those who wants to help or promote any idea along this Moon cake festival Pot Luck Night, you are most welcome to add in your name and comments.

    It will be called ‘SHC Family Moon Cake Festival Pot luck ‘

  23. Dear Ronald

    It is my pleasure to do a micro/mini scale together.

    As Chairman of my estate, I had organised for three years where most of the 288 households joined in.

    The actual day is Sunday, 14 September, target for Saturday, 13 September 2008, six days after Grandparents Day.

    I would be glad to share in both languages the origin and significance of the Mid Autumn Festival.

    Scorebot with three or more food outlets along Bali Lane might be keen.

    Let us go for it, Ronald.

  24. Excellent idea.

    We’ll lined the Bali Lane Square with laterns.

    Imagine. DDD (Dirty & Dangerous Dancing) the night away under the moonlight. Music, BBQ, potluck and hookah. Flying laterns in the opposite field in the wee hours. Just like old days.

    Candlelight at Philia and close encounter of the padang kind too. Private arrangement.

    Free and uninhibited fun, dusk to dawn.

    I like. Target new full moon 13-15 April 08.

    Howwwwwl ! Brings out the werewolf in any man.

  25. A @ #23

    By Sep, we’ll be able to organize Spore’s DDD National Competition at your condo.

    Hmmm…. how many years your condo? Get all your SPs’ together and we’ll moonlight an en-bloc at the same time.

  29. Ron Wie, you want help? I can help to eat the moon cakes, hehe. Or may be carry a paper lantern and walk around the block, haha.

    I don’t mind making paper lanterns if someone can teach me. Perhaps Terence knows how to?

    Origami? Interesting idea.

    Jia Yiu.

  30. Hi Ron and team,

    I can now confirm the date for the September monthly gathering.

    Date: Sat, 15 Sept 2008. Time: Evening.

    Let’s proceed with plans and ideas. I also think the idea of having this celebration and gathering at a few places is great; and fun. Keep it traditional and keep it crazy. Keep it disorganised too.

    Ronald, please take the lead.

    Terence Seah

  33. DennisH, thot I told you and all the Dennises long long time ago that he who wears pants and not diapers shd drop the “D” for “P”. Likewise, the talented and not the dim-witted among them shd replace “D” with “T”.

    With the simple changes, no confusion as to which Dennis will ever arise.

    With good pedestrian traffic, it’s a good idea to line Bali Lane with lanterns…the trees may be old but are still healthy with green leaves so even if the lanterns burn, the trees wont catch fire.

  34. Hi RonaldW,

    I am trying to book the mid-autumn festival celebration into my diary. The date is Sat, Sept 13, evening. Can you confirm if you are game to lead this event?

    Terence Seah

  35. Hi Terence,
    Ok la will lead this event if no one else is coming forward but will let anyone take over if they want.

    Proposal since you are bringing your family over for this weekend and it is going to be a family event, how about making this sort of a retreat event of a 3 days 2 nights at ECP.
    The plan is booked maybe 2 to 4 chalets and have various activities going on at the same time during this sort of Carnival retreat for SHC members ? Programs catering to the family can be repeated for Sat and Sundays so that everyone can join in on any one of the days.

    There can also be flea market, pot-luck, foodstalls for chef wanna bees and cooking lessons, etc ? Cycling , origami, paint competition, karaoke , and late dance parties will also be included.
    Individual groups can book adjacent chalets to join in the fun with mahjong, scrabble or whatever they want to. Of course we will not forget the Lantern festival theme.

    Will like to invite all entreprising individuals who have ideas of toying with any such items to come forward and run you own area or join in to propogate your ideas along. All ideas, suggestions, comments are welcome as the idea is for all SHC to be active participants as well. Mary Chan with her keuh lapis, Carolyn with CArrot cake, Lina – yam cake, Steven – herbal soup, Daniel – peranakan dish, Norlinda satay etc.
    Anyone wanting to cater to a theme dinnner can also do so, like CPT Beer and North Indian Cuisine for one of the evening on a strictly booking basis. Will also invite any baskers, performers to come forward to add to the carnival spirit.

    Will like anyone who wants to help in any way to come forward to share in the fun and enjoy it as a retreat cum festival. If our flea market stalls is sufficiently attractive to the public, we can put this event up as one item in the “What is happening this weekend” in the papers for free. Terence with you flea market experiece now, maybe you can bring a bigger consignment of Thai products , wine etc to promote with your family adding to the authenticity (any Thai mooncakes or lanterns ).
    With cost sharing the price per head can be made manageable. Mary Chan , you are going to be our poster lady ok, sort of ambassador for the event , as you have promised to help. Andrew Kwan – will leave the history and the decoration of the Spring festival to your ingenuity and also welcome to do whatever you think is in line.

  39. Hi Andrew Kuan surname and season noted. Thanks, that is why need you to run the Lantern festival history and practices.

    Thanks, Steven , so I take it you are going to be busy as one of the chefs and also one of the late night party hotboys.

    To add, maybe we should also make this as a SHC Friends Introduction and recruitment drive day. So each member is to invite or bring a guest or two to join the Mid-Autumn festival and SHC as well.

  40. Hi Terence and all,

    Just to clarify the central theme of the Mid-Autumn lantern Festival stands, but the side attractions are just to add to the retreat/carnival/new recruitment drive/family day,etc.
    So Main events will be such events:-
    Lantern making – parade,
    Moon cake making – tasting,
    Tea variety to go along with mooncakes,
    Origami-
    Thai lantern exhibit – the one that floats up to the sky (Terence, think you can get this right)
    Any other related events.
    Proposal is for the above to be a 2 day event so that members can bring their children/friends on either Sat or Sun.

    So for those wanting to take it as a retreat and stay over, that is the reason for the many other activities, etc.

  42. Hi all,

    RE: Mid Autumn Mooncake Carnival and Weekend Retreat. tentatively 12 to 14 Sept.

    The date for mid-autumn festival is drawing near and as the appointed but yet to be given the go ahead by Terence, reason being he thinks the idea is too big, so he is still considering.

    However as time and tide waits for no men, and so also the damsel at Pedra Blanca, if there is one, I will go ahead to draw the plan and try to get a response. I hope those who are interested to host their activities will consider this opportunity to make it the first ‘Mid-Autumn Carnival and Retreat for SHC members and families too ‘

    Plan is to booked 2 to 4 Chalets in a group at Safra East Coast Resort, the Resort has complete facilities including bolwing, badminton, swimming, boating,billiard, golf and many others.

    As this is a Mid-Autumn Carnival and Retreat, it will cover Friday Night to Sunday Night , 3 Nights in all.

    Each Chalet has 2 rooms and bathroom on the upper floor and a vey big Hall ideal for Karaoke, even to conduct IT course/workshop for 20 people, or dance floor for line dance or disco ,etc.

    I am quite confident that with each member paying around $20
    and getting just as little as 50 members it will already more than cover the cost or booking the chalets.

    The following activities then can be conducted in air-con comfort for Sat and Sun and I hope to get the following anchor tenants to take this opportunity to conduct a weekend workshop cum retreat.

    1. IT Workshop – 1 or 2 day hands-on workshop – hopefully Yew Kong you will organise this. Participants can have a 1/2 day to listen to the course and the other 1/2 day to pratice what they learn and also enjoy the Eve barbecue or buffet and later the other activities. Proposed cost per head $10 per day per person.

    2. Origami Class – by Ron Koh, hopefully now you can use the other chalet to conduct a full day course for adults and children also in air-con comfort . Proposed cost per head is $10 per day per person.

    3. Flea market – in another chalet if the response is good, so Karen Thio , Jasmine Teo , Steven Chan, Caroline Gee, Lina Ng(apple crumple is heavenly and yam cake also) , Dan Huang (ice cream, fridge provided this time ) can start booking your tables at $10 per day. This time I promised air-con comfort, soft music, and you are protected from the sun and rain , and also you can have a room to keep your goods for the next day.

    You are also free to offer workshops for handicrafts or lesson on baking ,etc as there is a full kitchen in each chalet.

    4. Moon Cake Actities – Andrew Kuan , can i leave you to draw up you plan and if intend to have one complete chalet just for this :-

    a. Moon cakes eating, – selling if anyone is making /promoting
    b. Tea drinking – and tea promotion
    c. lantern Making – anyone wants to promote/ or teach ?/
    d. Caligraphy –
    e. Tai Ji demo – any

    5. For Night Activities the following are encourage and I hope the following can be taken up

    a. 1 chalet for Cha bors – $5 per person per night ,
    you can do what you all want, have a blanket party , dance , karaoke, etc or just yak and yak and have your own barbecu

    b. 1 Chalet for Men’s nights $5 per person per night, Theme can be anything from Mah jong, football bettting , chess, or just drinking (bring your own cheaper)

    c. Dance Hall – Dan Huang hope you can organise one for line dance or both.

    d. Performance Night – karoake may be at 1 chalet, – Ann or someone can organise this ,

    All other activities are available and everyone are invited to use them like swimming, badmintion, cycling etc. Golf at very special price of about $40 can be booked on Fri and Mon. So Golfers good time to have a game and then stay overnight for a barbecue or drinks and to get to know more members.

    All other queries, suggestions welcome, potluck is definitely welcome and if anyone wants to organsite any theme party like a Hawaiin night please do so and cater appropriate food. Maybe Terence and organise one Thai Buffet night simply by booking his favorite caterer to serve the food there.

    Still ample time to plan what you want, and to book your chalets, workshop rooms for your classes, flea market, etc.
    Also hope Terence will agree to a member bring a new member recruitment drive to bring in more crowd not the mentioned the children.

    For those who wants to reserve a room ( air-con with twin or queen beds ) it is open for bidding, starting at $20 a night , you can then do what you want with the room , share or be alone etc. For a start 1 will book 1 room for myself :

    Rooms bidding starts at : Room 1 – RonWie – 3 nights $20 x 3 = $60

    Check the Safra website to look at the Resort facilites, which is very exclusive and conducive for company acitities.
    Bus service pick is free from designated MRT points.

    http://www.esrcc.com.sg/bungalow/index.html

    Also booking 3 months for Safra Golf members/2 months for Safra member, so I will need the help of someone who is member of either to call me. RowW 91519301

  43. Hi Ronald @42,

    The actual Lantern event is Sun, 14 Sept. The last talk on this forum was to settle for Sat, Sept 13. I guess you wanted at least two nights was because Safra East Coast Resort requires a min of two nights.

    No OK is required from me. Please take us through. Let’s hear from others too. I have a few Qs.

    1. I believe Safra rates are at least $200 per chalet. How do you arrive at $20 per pax per night.

    2. You have proposed children participation. You may need a show of hands first..

    Terence Seah

  44. Hi Terence,

    This period may be the super peak period, so for Safra golf resort member it will be about $250 plus, public will be at $450, that is why we need to ask for a Safra member amongst us to book it.

    The cost will be divided by all those who attend and thus maybe just about $10 assuming 50 people attend and less if more attend. I was trying to put up the 2 bedrooms for bidding , to see if this concept works for SHC. So I was bidding for one of the bedrooms at $20 starting bid, to be counter bid by anyone else.

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