Taipei, Oct. 10 (CNA) The Republic of China's (Taiwan) 113th National Day celebrations continued on Thursday evening in Yunlin County with a gala of performances, entertainment and a 41-minute firework display, which was attended by President Lai Ching-te (賴清德).

It is the first time the National Day fireworks display has been held in Yunlin since cities and counties outside the capital Taipei began hosting the annual event in 2000.

A series of performances planned around the fireworks display began at a site in Yulin's Huwei Township, just several minutes' walk from the high-speed rail station late Thursday afternoon.

The fireworks display featured 400 drones showcasing Yunlin cultural icons, including the sea goddess Mazu and popular glove puppetry character Su Huan-jen (素還真), according to the county government.

Following the National Day fireworks, the ongoing Yunlin International Puppet Theater Festival will stage shows for three evenings at the same site before it concludes on Sunday, county Magistrate Chang Li-shan (張麗善) said Tuesday in an effort to boost participation at both events.