For the first time in its 56-year history, the Macau Grand Prix will feature an F1-style driver parade as part of Sunday’s spectacular pre-race festivities, which have been designed to showcase the city’s rich, East-meets-West cultural and sporting diversity. In an exciting month for the SAR, which has seen a visit from China’s Prime Minister Wen Jiabao followed by its first-ever gold medal in the Asian Games being held in neighbouring Guangzhou won by Wushu athlete Jia Rui, Sunday’s festivities will add to the celebratory atmosphere. Macau’s first ever Asian Games gold medalist Jia Rui will lead the world’s finest young racing talent, who will be aboard an open-top double decker bus, from the main grandstands at the Grand Prix building all the way down to the famous Lisboa Bend, giving spectators an opportunity to see the drivers ahead of the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix. The afternoon track parade will begin at 13:45pm on Sunday, with a mix of dance and music performed by groups which participated in the Macau Week opening ceremony parade during the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai. The cultural parade will feature the Lo Liang Athletic Association, which will perform a Dragon Dance, a superb visual element of Chinese culture. The “Heart of Macau” Portuguese Folk Dance Association will perform traditional Portuguese folk dancing, illustrating the fascinating multicultural elements of the city. Music takes centre stage with a band performance by the Scout Association of Macau, before an energetic ensemble dance featuring the Hou Kong Middle School Dance team, the Regina Dancing Association and Casa de Portugal em Macau, showcasing the artistic and creative element of the city.
