Earlier, people used to climb up the bun towers and compete for buns, as they were considered to be blessed. This tradition of bun-snatching was closed down after a mishap where the bun towers buckled under the weight of too many climbers and many people were injured. Since then, there is no more competition and nowadays, the bun-snatching is done by skilled climbers and on a steel structure tower. Also, buns are made of plastic to prevent them from disintegrating into slippery pulp as the racers climb to the top. Some of these are also sold as knick-knacks of the Cheung Chau Bun Festival.
