2019 Bendigo Advertiser Easter gala parade: visting lion, 'unicorn' to feature
New creature to feature in parade
NEW: Dai Gum Loong is carried through the streets of Hong Kong ahead of his blessing earlier this month. Picture: LEIGH MCKINNON
Golden Dragon Museum general manager Anita Jack and dragon maker Hui Ka-hung at the blessing of Dai Gum Loong. Picture: LEIGH MCKINNON
Dai Gum Loong arrives for his blessing. Picture: LEIGH MCKINNON
Sun Loong in his penultimate parade last year. Picture: DARREN HOWE
Sun Loong in his penultimate parade last year. Picture: DARREN HOWE
Sun Loong in his penultimate parade last year. Picture: DARREN HOWE
Sun Loong in his penultimate parade last year. Picture: DARREN HOWE
Sun Loong in his penultimate parade last year. Picture: DARREN HOWE
Russell Jack with Loong, Bendigo's original Imperial dragon, in 2012. Picture: PETER WEAVING
Loong's scales. Picture: PETER WEAVING
A lion team from Hong Kong and a mythical creature of a type not seen in the city before are expected to accompany new imperial dragon Dai Gum Loong in this Easter's Bendigo Advertiser gala parade.
Dai Gum Loong was created by dragon maker Master Hui Ka-hung, from the Hung C Lau workshop, and blessed in Hong Kong earlier this month ahead of his trip to Bendigo.
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The Hong Kong Hung C Lau South Lion Team will visit Bendigo this Easter to accompany Dai Gum Loong in the parade.
A qilin, a creature loosely likened to the unicorn, is also likely to make an appearance in this year's parade.
The qilin was made for the Golden Dragon Museum by Master Ringo Leung, the craftsman restoring Sun Loong's scales.
The museum's general manager Anita Jack said the Hoklo qilin was made on Hong Kong's Peng Chau Island, but derives from Master Leung's mainland Chinese cultural background.
Ms Jack said this type of qilin was quite unique, and this Easter would mark the first known time such a qilin had performed in Bendigo.
Museum research officer Leigh McKinnon said the qilin was not only for entertainment, but represented an important part of Chinese folklore.
The qilin will go on display in the museum after the parade.
Dai Gum Loong's first festival will be the 49th and the last for his predecessor Sun Loong.
Bendigo Chinese Association president Doug Lougoon said at least 10 dragons would participate in this year's parade - while last year, there were three dragons.
During the parade, Dai Gum Loong will be greeted at the Alexandra Fountain by not only by Sun Loong but also hopefully Loong - who possibly made his first appearance on Bendigo's streets in 1892 - and night dragon Yar Loong.
Mr Lougoon said the parade would be bigger than previous years' "without a shadow of a doubt".
There will also be at least eight visiting lion teams.
The number of lion teams means the Chinese Spring Festival and Awakening of the Dragon on Easter Saturday will run longer this year.
More than 300 people are needed to carry the dragons at this year's parade.
For the first time, women can participate by carrying Dai Gum Loong.
Those wishing to carry Dai Gum Loong can register online.
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