DirectRooms – Daring acrobatics are performed on the streets of Penang on 18 December 2010

The procession is part of the Pesta Chingay and Lion Dance Parade which is held to worship and pay respect to the Goddess of Mercy, Guanyin.

The celebrations include the famous Chingay parade which sees performers taking to the streets with giant flags attached to even longer poles. The artists perform tricks and stunts for the crowds and feats include balancing the poles on their foreheads while walking and tossing the poles into the sky and then catching it with their chins.

With the poles weighing up to 15kg and varying from lengths of 25 o 32ft, the performers practice all year for the event to hone their skills and perfect the balancing acts.

The show also features a Lion Dance Parade which involves performers dressed as colourful Chinese lions, dancing through the streets and accompanied by loud music and firecrackers.

People staying in a hotel in Penang can watch the parade with the locals as it winds its way from Padang Brown to City Hall from 19:30 to 23:00 on Saturday 18th December 2010.

Lek Boonlert, marketing head at DirectRooms.com commented: "This a major national event that has grown in popularity so much that it is now celebrated in neighbouring countries. Penang will be packed with people and the hotels will be filling up quickly so visitors should book online prior to arriving."

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