The festival name comes from the main event, which is a contest among "wat" (meaning temple) communities to see which can build and launch the most successful rocket. Once the religious ceremonies are over, people then dress in traditional costumes and gather outdoors. The rockets are traditionally bamboo poles, decorated with dragons and colored streamers and filled with special gunpowder. They are approximately 20 feet in length. The rockets are judged on how far they fly when launched, but also on how beautifully decorated they are. Buddhist monks are generally the best rocket makers. The rocket contests today have less to do with religion and agriculture than the old days. It helps bring people together among neighborhoods, civic and military groups. Officials who judge the contest usually watch from a grandstand and give prizes for the most brilliant, the fastest and the highest rockets.