?Songkran?  Festival

Songkran Festival is the Thai traditional New Year  and occasion  for  family reunion. At this time, people from the rural areas  who are working  in the city  
usually return  home to celebrate the festival.  This festival is celebrated  from  April 13 to 15 and  the annual celebration is held throughout  the kingdom.
This Thai traditional  New  Year  begins with  early  morning  merit-making,  offering  food  to  Buddhist monks and releasing caged birds to fly freely into the sky.
During this auspicious occasion, any animals kept will be set free. Paying homage to one?s ancestors is an important part of the day. People will pay their
respects to the elders by pouring scented water over the palms of their hands. The elders in return wish the youngsters good luck and prosperity.
In the afternoon, after performing a bathing rite for Buddha images and the monks, the celebrants both young and old, joyfully splash water on each other.
During this period, people from all parts of the country flock there to enjoy the water festival, to watch the contest such as Miss Songkran, Poo cha druming etc. 
Lampang has it owns Songkran Festival called ?Salungluang KlongYai Pi Mai Mueang Nakorn Lampang?. This year, the festival is held between 
April 9 and April 13, 2010.

Activities

April 9 , 2010   at  Kuang Nakorn  (5 cross-road of clock tower)
6.30  pm          -  ?Salungluang KlongYai Pi Mai Mueang Nakorn Lampang? opening ceremony  by Her  Royal  Highness  Princess  Soamsawali
                    - Salungluang  parade
                    - Salungluang ? Pee Mai Mueang Angels Contest
                    - Druming Poo Cha competition (qualifier  round)
                    - Cultural activities
                    - Thai LannaTextile exhibition of Thai Lanna Textile Industry Association

April 10, 2010   at  Kuang Nakorn 
7.00 pm.          -  Druming Poo Cha competition (qualifier  round)
                    -  Cultural activities
                    - Thai LannaTextile exhibition / Thai Silk  fashion show / arts and cultural perfomance   of Thai Lanna Textile Industry Association

April 11, 2010   at  Culture   Street  on Wiang Nuea  Sub-District
7.00 am. ? 4.00 pm     -  Merit-making / Kad Mua Khour Ngai / Papaya Salad Contest / Hunglei curry in very large sized pan/ Join  ?Ramwong?
                               (Thai traditional dancing) / Join splashing water on each other
6.00 pm.                 - Druming Poo Cha competition (final  round)
                           -  Cultural activities
                           - Thai LannaTextile exhibition / Thai Silk  fashion show / arts and cultural perfomance   of Thai Lanna Textile Industry Association

April 12, 2010   
8.00 am.                -  The Emerald Buddha image is brought out from  Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang  to the municipal offices and  is paraded through
                             the streets  for people to sprinkle lustral water
                       At Culture   Street  on Wiang Nuea  Sub-District
7.00 am. ? 2 pm.         - Merit-making / Kad Mua Khour Ngai/ Thai dessert demonstration / Tung-making demonstration and folk song performance
                       At  Kuang Nakorn
5.00 pm.                -  A religious ceremony by the Governor of Lampang Province, presided over the ceremony at Kuang Nakorn
                          - To sprinkle lustral water the  Emerald Buddha image
                          - Cultural activities
                          - Thai LannaTextile exhibition of Thai Lanna Textile Industry Association
                       At  public park (5 cross-road of clock tower)
7.00 pm               -  Pee Mai Mueag angel Contest  (Miss Songkarn Contest)
9.00 pm                -  To bring the Emerald Buddha image to lampang municipal office   (Rachawadee Room)

April 13, 2010   
6.30 am.               -  To bring the Emerald Buddha image to Kuang Nakron
                         -  Make a merit  at car park area of lampang municipal office
7.00 am.               -  A religious ceremony by the Governor of Lampang Province, presided over the ceremony at Kuang Nakorn
                         - The Dean of  Lampang Province wish the good luck and prosperity
                         -  The Governor of Lampang Province wish the good luck and prosperity
                         -  Make a merit  at Kuang Nakron
10.30 am.             - Competition the coach
5.00 pm.               - Move the parade of the Emerald Buddha image from the Tessaban 3 school  area to the Tipchang Lord monument  and brought  back to
                           Wat Phra That Lampang Luang