Nearly 40 groups of performers and 25 floats from home and abroad will join this year’s Shanghai Tourism Festival opening parade, always a highlight of the annual celebrations. This year is China-EU Tourism Year and China-Canada Year of Tourism. Floats representing the EU and Quebec will take part in the September 14 parade. The Quebec float features ice and snow and shows the beautiful scenery of the Canadian north. The EU float blends history and culture with modern science.