◆ Origin


Bihua Cloth Street is located in the north of Sanchong District of New Taipei City and its area covers most of Bihua Neighborhood and Renhua Neighborhood in Sanchong. The intersection of Bihua Street and Renai Street in the west and intersection of Bihua Street and Siwei Street in the east covers streets, lanes, and alleys with a total length of 450 meters. 

It started with a shop that sold rags and gradually cloth retailers and whole salers started to gather here and ultimately it became the Bihua Cloth Street we see now. During its prime time in the 70s, Bihua Cloth Street was known even to foreigners; however, at the end of the 80s, as the textile industry in Taiwan withered, the business in the cloth street started to decrease, too. Currently there are more than 100 cloth stores that are still in business. 

In recent years, with the efforts of the younger generations, the elements of creativity obtained from daily life, artistic activities and cloth culture are combined to follow the traditional spirit of the Bihua Cloth Culture. They established the “Sanchong Cloth Street Association” in 2008. In order to promote the overall development and its image of the cloth street, Halloween Custom Activity that combines the modern culture of western festival to breathe new life into the cloth street. Through such activity where east and west cultures complement each other, hopefully its old glory will be restored. 


This year, the festival is the “Halloween” costume activity that still centers on the cloth-related arts. Moreover, since the number of people participating in “Trick or Treat“ activity is increasing every year, this activity that conveys the image of the friendliness and vitality of the street will be held and personnel at local stores are encouraged to increase their interaction with visitors. Also the cloth street association will work on emphasizing the overall image of cultural and creative cloth-related arts business circle. This year, the local government requests that decorations on the street in front of the stores be improved, the decoration and promotion of cultural and creative products and courses to help the public know more about “cloth” be added to the activities; meanwhile, promotional activities and commercials are used to encourage family participation to allow them to experience the cultural and creative atmosphere of the business circle.

◆ Activities

1、Trick or Treat: students and teachers from kindergarten and families are invited to get dressed in different costumes and ask for candies in stores on Bihua Cloth Street, This year, the Halloween decorations on the street and costume of persons giving away candies in every store are particularly being paid attention to in constructing the happy atmosphere of Halloween that all participants will be able to notice immediately. 

2、Have Fun with “cloth” (A cloth-learning corridor): Cloth materials have become more diverse than ever: cotton, linen and various kinds of manmade fibers….what is the advantage of each material? The reason to set up such an education corridor is to have store owners on the street teach people how to distinguish the different kinds of cloth. Besides, Let’s DIY activity offers a chance for the public to “play with cloth” so that all parents or teenagers participating in the activity will be able to learn something new about cloth. 
3、A Trip to the Cloth Street: Cloth stores are asked to exhibit more cultural and creative products and cheap rags in store while stands that offer free tea and traditional delicacies will be set up on the street. This year, chiefs of villages are asked to help with the exhibition and sell cultural and creative products within their own neighborhoods; in addition, performances brought by street performers are scheduled from time to time; for example, concerts by bands, clown magic shows and solo shows, giving a sense of artistic atmosphere to visitors. 

4、Free Creative Show: The local government welcomes any kinds of shows, such as singing, dancing or personal talent shows; applications from all (including applications from schools, groups or communities)are encouraged. Be brave to get on stage and show your talents, and of course, don’t forget to put on costumes. 

5、Devil Competition: A competition centers on “demons” and “ghosts” of Halloween. Professors or professional designers are invited as judges to select the most stylish works and give rewards according to the rankings. All participants must wear their costumes and do the cat walk and to explain their design concept to the judges! 

◆ Activity Schedule