One of my favorite Sakon Nakhon Happenings: “the Grand Dragon parade"

For years now I've been at the starting gate at 6 a.m.,
every December 11. Health willing, I won't miss out this year.

The celebration really needs to be on the T.A.T. calendar

The morning parade gets things going, then there are exhibits and auctions of fine art pieces. An early evening trip to the temple to see the performances is well worth it.

The temple addition is still under construction and won't be part of this year's celebrations

For more information click the Label link below

↓

  กลนคร Sakon Nakhon

One of my favorites Sakon Nakhon Festivals coming soon

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

From Clapsticks to Flutes

Times change, nothing stays the same.  That's very obvious with the Sakon Nakhon Chinese celebration in December. The yearly tradition continues with less fanfare.

Don't get me wrong, it was great fun today, things have changed.

Missing from today's celebrations were clapsticks, face painting, cobras, ankle wraps, high pole acts, just to name a few.

 Weeks before the event, 
 neighborhood kids would 
 spend their free times training with clapsticks. 

 There were a few painful learning moments.

 Participants arrived the evening before 
 and spent the night at the shrine for makeup 
 and a sleepover

 The high pole dragon fight 
 hasn't been part of the celebration 
 for a number of years

The human totem pole also has gone the way of history

Banners which were carried by two persons were this year pushed on racks. Eight banners pushed by four people per rack 

Totally missing this year was the fancy attire

Seems to me there were a few extra yellow lions in past years

  

New this year was a truck platform with a musical group and kids playing flutes

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon x

Chao Pu-Chao Ya Shrine

Preparations are under way for next week's celebrations
Schedule translation pending 
I do know parade starts at 6 am on the eleventh. Been so for over a decade "personal experience."

I took the opportunity to look around a bit. There are few reasons why I visit shrines, temples and churches

ART

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Colorful and a bit noisy and a lot of fun NEXT WEEK

The day before the big parade is a good time to visit the Chinese temple (Chao Pu-Chao Ya Shrine). 

A variety of art from paintings, carvings and vases are on display. 

Plenty of preparations for the next day early (6 am) start of the parade

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

1211 Dec 11:: Chinese Festivalwith cobras, dragons and lions

The Parade starts quite early. 6 or 6:30 am. On Rat Phatthana Road, near bus station one, the parade breaks off into a number or troupes. The troupes scatter to different streets to visit a number of businesses. The dragons and lions entering businesses in the hopes of guaranteeing a prosperous future.  There's usually a final performance similar to the aerial dragon fight in the first video. Somewhere between 11 am and noon.

There is usually evening entertainment at the Chinese temple "Chao Pu-Chao Ya Shrine"

Visit the temple the evening before the parade  to witness some of the preparations  and admire the art.

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Chinese festival underway through Dec 16

Didn't make it to the starting gate (parade starts at the temple) because I had stopped off at a clinic for a blood test. Had to wait for the doctor to be called, after all it was a national holiday. I was flabbergasted when the doctor apologized for the waiting time. He made a special trip on his day off.   The parade was fun and entertaining.  Over the years this events seem to have shrunk, some previous activities deleted. And even the big poles shrunk. Some major activities planned for today at the temple, instead I'll be visiting two birthday parties this evening

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

This Shindig starts Monday

My first year in Sakon Nakhon I had the privilege of getting a behind the scenes look at this festival , since members of my Thai family participated. Almost every year since I stood at the temple entrance on December 11 to watch the start of the parade.   The big show is December 12

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Starts December 11

↓Check out the complete playlist of the festival activities

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Sakon Nakhon Nightshift 2004

Many of my friends participated in the festival that year, which gave me the opportunity to visit all night as preparations were made for the parade in the morning

Sakon Nakhon

My Favorite Sakon Nakhon Chinese Festival Dec 11 through 16

2015	Previous Experiences From 2004 Face painting
2007	2008
2009
2012
2014
2011	2010
Caution be aware of your surroundings 2012 Parade departs the temple at approximately 7 to 7:30 am, lasts most of the morning, as the dragons and lions enter Chinese businesses to insure prosperity .

Sakon Nakhon

You can't say there was no advance notice

ธันวาคม December Pronounced than waa khohm

Sakon Nakhon

Chinese Festival Show nightly at 7

Sakon Nakhon