A FESTIVE family of four robotic oxen were the stars yesterday in Chinatown.

Designed and developed by students and staff of Singapore Polytechnic's School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, they greeted the over 1,000-strong crowd which turned up for the annual Chinese New Year (CNY) light-up event launched by Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng.

Despite a weak economy and a reduced budget, this year's celebrations still included a crowd-pleasing fireworks display and a rousing live firing of 128 strands of firecrackers.

This year's programme centres on the theme Hope and Happiness.

'We have the intention to light up the mood of Singaporeans and spread the confidence of the 'can do' and 'will do' spirit at a time like this,' said Dr Lily Neo, an MP for Jalan Besar GRC and adviser to Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng grassroots organisations, in her opening address.

There will be 588 street stalls selling a variety of Chinese New Year goodies and decorations this year - the biggest Festive Street Bazaar to date.

For the first time, the organisers will also hold a mass reunion dinner for about 1,000 people, including the needy, the elderly and new citizens, at the Singapore Flyer on Jan 24.

Jamie Ee