Xiluo Bridge Folk Art Parade Festival

Xiluo, a peaceful town in Yunlin, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and its proximity to the Jhuoshuei River. The town's rich history has fostered a vibrant local culture, with rice and soy sauce being its most cherished agricultural specialties. Tourists are also attracted to Xiluo by the refined Yanping Old Street, the bustling Fuxing Temple, and the iconic Xiluo Bridge.

The Xiluo Bridge, which connects Yunlin and Changhua, spans an impressive 1,939.03 meters in length and 7.32 meters in width, with 30 piers that cross the Jhuoshuei River. It has been operational since 1953, having been initially designed to satisfy transportation requirements during the Japanese colonial era. For decades, this bridge has been a critical component of Taiwan's north-south transportation network and has previously provided support to Taiwan Sugar Railways, thereby making a substantial contribution to the sugar industry. It has been dubbed "The Far East's No. 1 Bridge" due to the striking red steel structure that extends across the expansive landscape.

The Xiluo Bridge has facilitated cultural exchanges between Yunlin and Changhua through religious activities, in addition to its function in transportation. The bridge is a critical pathway for traditional deity processions and temple events in Xiluo. Mazu deities are accompanied by faithful pilgrims who traverse the iconic red bridge with immense enthusiasm each year. This has strengthened the connections between temples, gained the bridge the nickname "Mazu Bridge," and expanded Taiwan's traditional religious network.

This year, 2024, marks a momentous milestone when Yunlin hosts the National Day fireworks event in October. To honor and promote tourism in Xiluo, the Yunlin County Government, in partnership with Changhua County, will host a two-day "Xiluo Bridge Folk Art Parade Festival" on October 5th and 6th. The event, titled "National Day in Yunlin: Blessings for Taiwan," includes spectacular acts such as a folk religious troupe, fire dance, and a torchlight parade on the bridge on the first day. On the second day, 40 local temples from both counties will come together for a magnificent deity parade and welcoming ceremony, complete with traditional rifle drill teams and lion dance performances. The festival will climax in a stunning 600-second fireworks show, providing guests with a visual feast while commemorating National Day and conveying blessings to Taiwan. This two-day festival is expected to draw large crowds to Xiluo, allowing tourists to marvel at the bridge's majesty while also immersing themselves in the town's historical and cultural charm.