People will be able to vote for their favorite floats during the opening parade of the Shanghai Tourism Festival on September 15 - and voters can win an overseas trip, organizers said yesterday.

This year is the first time that overseas floats will outnumber domestic ones, said the festival's organizing committee.

Eleven floats from Mexico, Singapore, Italy, and Kyushu and Nagasaki in Japan will take part in the 21-float parade along Huaihai Road, Shaanxi Road and Xizang Road. Some of the floats will reflect a fictional theme, including myths, games or history.

Visitors can vote for their favorite float on the Shanghai Online Website (www.online.sh.cn) or SMS the float's number to 015-005-55. They will also be able to vote at the parade.

The deadline is September 30, and the winners will be drawn on October 4, said the committee. Several awards will be given to lucky voters, including an overseas trip for two. The destination has not yet been announced.

In addition to the opening parade, fireworks displays set to music will be at Century Park in Pudong New Area.

Tickets go on sale from today for the two-hour shows on September 30, October 3 and October 6.

This year's shows will welcome performers from four countries - "Curtain Call" from the United States, "Pyrotechnic Cocktail" from Slovenia, "Water and Fire Symphony" from Portugal and "Oriental Gorgeous Flowers" from China. The Chinese performances will run first.

Tickets cost between 70 yuan (US$9) and 600 yuan. Children under 1.2 meters tall can go with an adult for free.

(Shanghai Daily August 28, 2007)