The most rocking music festival of the summer in Taichung – 2017 Daan Sand Sculpture and Music Festival – will kick off on July 1 at Daan Sea Theme Park! Artists including 831 Band, Elvis Tian, Miu Chu and TRASH Band were invited for the festival’s opening performance, which will last until August 6. According to Tourism Office Director Shen-shan Chen, the theme of this year’s sand sculpture resonates with the slogan of Taichung world flora expo “Sound of Blooming”, where an unprecedented number of 32 medium to large sand sculptures will be created to complement “Rock Daan” and let everyone experience the enchanting seaside of Taichung in summer.
Taichung City Government hosted the “2017 Daan Sand Sculpture and Music Festival” kick-off press conference on the 28th, where Tourism Office Director Shen-shan Chen, Waipu District Executive I-teng Cho, City Councilors Min-chi Wu and Mei-chun Weng as well as local borough chiefs all attended the opening ceremony.
Tourism Office Director Chen remarked that in order to introduce novelty to the event design this year, 5 major themes are incorporated to the sand sculptures, including: 2018 Taichung World Flora Exposition, images of Taichung City, local industries, ecological conservation and marine care. In total, 22 large sand sculptures will be designed, and the entrance art installation draws inspiration from the slogan of Taichung world flora expo “Sound of Blooming”. Despite the treacherous beach terrain, artists have sculpted a giant 10 m long sand sculpture, portraying the image of a graceful maiden with beautiful long hair basking in the fragrance of flowers to admire the petals drifting by in the gentle sea breeze while listening to the sound of blooming flowers.
In addition, international sand sculptors from Japan, South Korea and Malaysia are also on the invitation list, while a design team consisting of more than 20 artists led by Taiwanese master sculptor Kun-tien Chen will also be demonstrating their skillful craftsmanship. In total, 22 large sand sculptures will be created. On the second week of the event, a creative sand sculpting competition will be held to add 10 more sand sculptures from 10 outstanding contestants. All in all, 32 exquisite, medium to large sand sculpture artworks will be presented in the future.
Director Chen suggested that “Rock Daan” will continue to be held this year in order to provide creators with performance space and encourage young people to engage in creative activities. Accompanied by the dazzling sun and magnificent coastal environment, the Rock Daan is set to become a grand summer festival of rock music in central Taiwan, thereby transforming Daan into the rock paradise of Taichung.
Director Chen also invited the public to attend the opening gala of Daan Sand Sculpture and Music Festival on July 1, where artists including 831 Band, Elvis Tian, Miu Chu and TRASH Band will be invited for the festival’s opening performance. Participants will have the opportunity to win great prizes such as iPhone, ASUS tablets and bicycles.
Furthermore, different activities will be designed for every weekend, including beach volleyball competition, creative sand sculpting contest, photography contest and Rock Daan competition etc. Farmers’ associations from the seaboard area and Taichung Fishermen’s Association will also be exhibiting various premium agricultural products.
Director Chen encouraged the public to make use of the shuttle bus to reach Daan Sea Theme Park, which departs from Dajia Train Station and passes through Wenwu Road and Daangang Road to reach the event venue. For bus departure times, routes and other information such as temporary parking lots, please log onto Taichung Travel Net (travel.taichung.gov.tw).