With only four days left until the long-awaited event, the team was in full swing. Meetings piled up, props were being finalised, and group chats buzzed with excitement when we received the news—a typhoon was on its way.
Last September, LoveXpress hosted an autism awareness exhibition at The One, facing off against Typhoon Saola. This year, LoveXpress aimed higher. Their sub-affiliate, The Edible Projects, had established a presence in Sham Shui Po, and LoveXpress sought to highlight this vibrant neighbourhood. They envisioned "Starlit Harmony in Sham Shui Po," an outdoor carnival and banquet at Maple Street Playground, aimed at raising awareness for the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) community and fostering social inclusion within Hong Kong’s diverse cultural landscape.
Yet, reminiscent of last year's challenges, the storm threatened to disrupt our plans—the typhoon was forecasted to make landfall on the very day.
An Ambitious Event from the Start
Let’s rewind to the beginning. By the time the project was greenlit in June—just four months ahead of the event—our team was already involved, creating visuals for posters and updating the website. We aimed to illustrate the golden industries that have illuminated Sham Shui Po over the last 50 years, showcasing four decades of resilience since the 1980s.
We also received news that our sub-affiliate brand, Tang Tang Tang Tang, would have a booth at the carnival during the day. Focused on celebrating Hong Kong culture through its homage to Ha Tsuen, a village in Yuen Long, Tang Tang Tang Tang was a perfect fit for the carnival's theme. We were determined to add our cultural touch to this meaningful backdrop and share it with Sham Shui Po’s locals.
A Hectic October
Things kicked into high gear when October arrived. Our team faced a relatively short timeframe to prepare all the infographic boards for the event. From planning the themes and writing the content to designing and sending the boards to print, we dedicated three full days to creating ten billboards that chronicled Sham Shui Po’s long-standing history.
We couldn’t forget about our booth either. Tang Tang Tang Tang planned a scented bamboo-weaved sachet workshop, blending culture with sensory experience. It was a new challenge for us to prepare our own workshop alongside the event preparations, but we were determined to infuse a little taste of Tang Tang Tang Tang into this celebration of culture.
As the countdown continued, our team was hit with the unfortunate news that the event might be cancelled due to the typhoon. Not only would our hard work go to waste, but it would also feel like a blow to the community we sought to uplift.
However, drawing from our experience with Typhoon Saola, we decided to believe in the power of our vision and the potential for a successful event. As a countermeasure, LoveXpress set up tents to cover the area, ensuring that the event could continue despite the inevitable rain.
On the Day
Bright and early at 8 AM, the team arrived in Sham Shui Po to set up the venue and our booth. Despite the weather, we were overwhelmed by the enthusiastic turnout. It was warm within the booths, but parents and children were eager to participate in our workshop. Assembling the sachets was no easy feat, yet seeing their willingness to stay was worthwhile. It was a delight to see them picking out different combinations of dried ingredients to create their unique scents. We prepared 100 sachets, all of which were distributed before the carnival concluded, each carrying a unique scent crafted by the participants.
After a brief break to tidy our booth, we moved to the other side of the basketball court for the second part of "Starlit Harmony in Sham Shui Po"—the 55-table banquet!
The banquet was heralded as the first nine-dish outdoor dinner, featuring 80 chefs who worked alongside The Edible Project’s training youths, serving dishes one by one. This gathering embodied the theme of togetherness, with each table featuring four sponsors and eight local residents of Sham Shui Po. Our team was honoured to amplify the theme of connectedness with the local community under the stars.
Despite the tiring day, we were invigorated by the delicious food and lively performances that filled the air with a joyful, sing-song vibe, even as the rain fell around us. Notably, the event welcomed the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Alice Mak Mei-kuen, along with various performers such as Camy Tang and Yvonne Yung, who brought an enchanting rhythm to the evening, transforming the atmosphere into a celebration of resilience and unity amidst the storm.
Rainbow After the Storm
As we reflect on the smiling faces and the joy that filled the air, we were reminded that it’s in these moments of collective resilience that true strength is found. While it was a new challenge, we felt incredibly grateful to be part of "Starlit Harmony in Sham Shui Po" and to contribute to its meaningful message.
This event was not just about raising awareness; it was a heartfelt reminder that together, we can weather any storm and illuminate the path toward a more inclusive and compassionate community.
In The Media
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