As midnight approaches, former Taiwan provincial governor James Soong arrives. Soong, Yen Ching-piao and this year's "custodian of the joss," Chen Chi, each light off a chain of firecrackers and Matsu is seated in the palanquin, ready to embark on her eight day procession.
接近凌晨時分，前省長宋楚瑜也到場，與顏清標及砲仔團爐主陳吉，分別點燃三響起馬砲，媽祖就此起駕，展開八天七夜的繞境活動。