BEIJING, Feb. 7(Xinhuanet)-- Miyun County in the outskirts of Beijing will not have its annual Spring Festival lantern show this year to avoid a repeat of last year's stampede.

Local officials said Monday that handwriting exhibitions will be held instead.

The festival begins Wednesday and will last two weeks.

Last February during the lantern show, 37 people were killed and 15 others injured while crossing a crowded bridge in a park.

Two Chinese police officers responsible for the accident were sentenced last December to three years in prison.

The municipal government officials have urged local parks to set tourists admission ceilings to avoid possible stampedes as the city will also hold more than 30 large-scale outdoor celebrations, including 11 traditional temple fairs at major parks.

Emergency measures must be taken to ensure smooth flow of people in case any evacuation is needed. Activity sites also required to be equipped with loudspeakers to inform visitors of any possible dangers.