By staff reporter ZHANG JINGDE

CHAOYANG Park was resplendent with windmills and kites, and resounded to sonorous bagpipes at the second Beijing Chaoyang International Spring Carnival.

The windmill fairy character -- Chinese equivalent of Santa Claus -- is regarded as the embodiment of happiness and beauty. The story goes that she was a beautiful lady born in a seaside town in Holland, who long dreamed of traveling the world. When her dream finally became reality, she was so impressed by the beauty and history of China that she decided to stay. Her daily schedule included helping senior citizens and needy children. When she missed her hometown, she would weave her happy memories into leaves, dyed different colors, make them into windmills, and send them to her friends as holiday gifts. Canadian girl Alicia Rowden played the role of windmill fairy at this year's celebration.

The exhibition of colorful, diversely shaped windmills in different shapes, exotic souvenirs, performers from the UK, Germany, Russia, Brazil, and African countries, and delicious foreign delicacies made the festival a gastric and visual delight.

A magnificent performance.	Good luck in the year of the goat.
Windmill king Liang Jun (middle) from Tongzhou District, Beijing, with windmill fairy Alicia Rowden (second left).	Joining in a performance.
Children's favorite cartoon characters.