Freak Show

This is the famous Walking Street, Zhong Yang Da Jie, in Harbin. This was taken last Wednesday for Dragon Boat Festival Eve. Ya it's a bit of a Freak Show but so much fun and excitement.

The tradition is to be at the river before 7am on the day of the Festival to watch Dragon Boat races. Many Chinese people decide the best way to accomplish this is to sleep over at the river. So they will bring snacks and Harbin Beer and hang around all night. This is one time where a 25 year old gal's parents will think it's okay for her to stay out all night. Most of the pomp happens the night before the races. It seems these last couple of years that whenever there's a festival or something that people do the same things. They always wear funny headgear, i.e. lit-up devil horns, stars and hearts. Also the little wings and angel halos. They'll also have night-light wands and many other things. Ha ha, many many fun things are purchased and worn at these festivals. Anyway, this fellow took it one step farther and I think the people around him thought so too.