Continuous rainfall prior to the opening of the 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival raised concerns for the Chiayi County Government team, who feared the weather would disrupt the event. County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang visited multiple temples to sincerely pray to Mazu. That afternoon, the rain eased and the weather improved, allowing the lantern festival to proceed smoothly. To express gratitude, the county government invited the Mazu statues from Xingang Fengtian Temple, Xibei Liuxing Temple, and Puzi Peitian Temple to visit the lantern festival on the 12th. Many residents accompanied Mazu through the festival, praying with folded hands and hoping their wishes would be heard.

Magistrate Weng, together with his wife Liu Liying, Tourism Administration Director-General Chen Yu-hsu, Legislators Tsai Yi-yu and Chen Guan-ting, Council Speaker Chang Ming-da, Deputy Speaker Chen Yi-yue, Fengtian Temple Chairman Ho Ta-huang, Peitian Temple Chairman Tsai Cheng-zong, Liuxing Temple Chair Jiang Xiao-peng, and representatives from all levels of local government, witnessed the historic moment of the three Mazu statues being seated together.

The Mazu procession gathered in front of the TECH WORLD Pavilion and departed, stopping at the Agriculture Lantern Area and the Main Lantern Area. Visitors made wishes by writing their hopes and uploading them onto the main lantern screen, where the wishes appeared among the sea of lights. Mazu presided on the stage to bless the public as they enjoyed the main lantern show.

Mazu then proceeded to the New Immigrant Lantern Area and the Chiayi Community Planner Area, strolling through the zones and experiencing the lively atmosphere. Devotees waved enthusiastically to greet Mazu along the way.

Magistrate Weng said that after a full year of preparation, it was unfortunate that the lantern festival encountered rainy weather. He prayed at Xibei Liuxing Temple, Xingang Fengtian Temple, and Puzi Peitian Temple, asking Mazu to stop the rain. Although the forecast predicted a 40% chance of rain in the evening, the rain began to ease at 11 a.m. and stopped completely by 1 p.m. The afternoon parade was cool and pleasant, and the weather was excellent for President Lai’s lighting ceremony that night.

Magistrate Weng expressed gratitude to Mazu for blessing the opening ceremony and parade. Many visitors typed their wishes onto the main lantern wall, hoping Mazu would help make them come true, bless Chiayi’s ongoing transformation, and allow Taiwan’s light to continue shining upon Chiayi.