Despite the weighty overtones of the handover -- and the powerful uncertainties facing Hong Kong residents -- those who choose to participate in the celebration are in for one heck of a party.

Make that parties, for the celebrations will begin before the official handover at midnight on June 30, and will continue well into July. Despite an opinion poll suggesting that only a small fraction of Hong Kong's 6.4 million residents plan to participate in the celebrations, it is estimated that there will be 180 concerts, parades, exhibitions, sporting events and parties.

One of the most restrained events will begin at 6 p.m. on June 30, when Gov. Chris Patten leaves Government House for the last time to attend a sunset ceremony with approximately 10,000 others on the Hong Kong Island side of the Victoria Harbor waterfront.

What is expected to be a solemn observance will be rich with military pomp, ending with the detonation of eight tons of fireworks.

The handover begins afterward with a banquet at the newly expanded Hong Kong Convention Center, also on the waterfront. Among the 4,000 dignitaries attending will be Prince Charles of Britain, Chinese President Jiang Zemin, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and numerous foreign ministers and former heads of state.