Pastry pile: The annual bun scrambling competition is popular for participants and spectators.

This year's Bun Festival in Cheung Chau will be held April 26 to May 13 and its spotlight event - the bun scrambling competition - is now open for application until April 2.

Healthy and physically fit people aged 18 or above are welcome to apply.

Staged at the Pak Tai Temple Playground soccer pitch, the contest has three stages - training on bun tower climbing, the selection of finalists and the final competition.

Places will be allocated by ballot if more than 150 applications are received. Those who live, work or study on the island will have priority.

The 150 selected applicants must attend the Hong Kong Mountaineering Union's training sessions on bun tower climbing and accident prevention on April 26 and 27 and May 3 before taking part in the finalists selection.

A total of 12 shortlisted finalists will enter the final competition starting at 11.30pm on May 12. They must scramble to collect the buns from the bun tower within a time limit. The highest total scorer is the winner.

Apart from another bun scrambling invitation relay, there will be a climbing carnival on May 4 featuring games stalls, climbing sport and Olympism, handicraft and bun tower climbing demonstrations and variety shows.

Festival-goers can also join in a bun tower climbing challenge by making on-site applications.

Click here for festival details and competition enrolment forms, or call 2852 3220 for enquiries.