Chap Goh Meh celebrations at the Esplanade

GEORGE TOWN: A few popular shopping malls in Penang like the Straits Quay and the public recreational ground of the Esplanade have begun preparations to mark the annual Chap Goh Meh celebration tonight.
Straits Quay senior manager Wong Siew Hui said there will be various traditional performances, including a lion dance.
Wong said the performances are different every year to entertain the crowd during the Chap Goh Meh celebration.
She said the female shoppers can redeem a mandarin orange for free to write their name, contact number, and wishes to throw into the sea.
The male shoppers will ride on a boat to collect eight mandarin oranges which were earlier thrown into the sea.
If the match making is a success, the shopping gallery will give out cash vouchers or cash prizes to the successful men and women who become couples as a result of the effort to throw and collect oranges in the open seas.
"We are giving out cash vouchers or cash prizes to the successful couples after they agree to have a relationship after going out for a date," said Wong.
Bellevue Hotel Penang Hill will also host a Chap Goh Meh celebration at the hotel tonight.
The hotel will host a family dinner, in addition to activities like observing the moon through a telescope, a talk on astronomy and a traditional dance under the moonlight.
Bellevue Hotel Penang Hill Operation Manager Bino Yeoh said the hotel wants to celebrate Chap Goh Meh in a different way, in addition to the traditional celebrations.