VO The biggest rocket festival ever locally known as boun bang fai Larn fires into the sky at the weekend
INTRO: Nasone village in Park Gum district, Vientiane Capital organised what has been called ‘the biggest rocket festival ever' locally known as boun bang fai Larn which set to be fired into the sky at the weekend Saturday and Sunday May 21st and 22nd. According to Head of Nasone village, the rocket festival is an annual event, which has been practiced for generations. Traditionally, the rocket festival is held in either May or June.
STORY: The biggest rocket set on fired into the sky at the weekend festival where has been described as almost the biggest ever fired in Laos. It is less than 40 minutes drive from Vientiane to the district.
According to the district's Information, Culture and Tourism Office, the weekend festival was almost the biggest ever hosted by the district – perhaps nationwide. Many big rockets were featured in the event, which run from early morning until late afternoon. The rocket festival is an annual event which has been practiced for generations. Traditionally, the rocket festival is held in either May or June.
Interview: Head of Nasone village in Park Gum district, Vientiane Capital
…. Lao….
The festival's celebrations typically include music and dance performances that accompany the rocket processions on the way to the launch pad where they will be fired into the sky. This is a competition, however, and the winner is the builder of the rocket which goes the highest. The downside is that the designers of failing rockets are thrown in the mud or a pond.
Many villagers get together to fire the rockets into the sky, while those on the ground celebrate by drinking, singing and dancing. Recalling the fertility rite origins of the rocket festival, parade ornaments and floats often sport sexual imagery and male participants often dress as women .
Food venders also seated booths for visitors to experience the taste of local food, while enjoying the festival. It is believed that the festival is organised to ask for rain so that farmers can begin rainy season rice planting. The rockets are fired to let the rain god Phaya Thaen know it is time to send the rains.

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