Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi opens 2009 Etisalat-Sharjah Water Festival

The Festival, which opened its gates to visitors at 16:00, was officially opened by H.E. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), which is responsible for organizing the annual event. Also in attendance were H. E. Abdullah Al Owais, Director of Sharjah's Cultural Department, Col. Hamid Mohammed Al-Hudaidi, Sharjah's Chief of Police, and H.E. Abdul Wahab Al Romi Director of Sharjah's Civil Aviation, as well as a number of other dignitaries and VIPs.

The Etisalat-Sharjah Water Festival is a world-class event, and the organizing committee has prepared a variety of activities and attractions that offer something for everyone, from children, to the sports-mad, to those who enjoy more relaxed entertainment. This year's entertainment line-up boasts top local and international acts, including a daily Sesame Street Performance, acrobatic diving shows, children's entertainment shows at Mouj Land, carnival parades featuring clowns and stilt-walkers, circus shows, bands and much more.

Bargain hunters are invited to visit the Night Souk and look through the goods on offer, and there will be an international food court to cater to all palates.

The Festival also promotes Sharjah's culture and heritage through its heritage area and fun activities organized by various government departments, ranging from culture-focused activities presented by the Sharjah Museum Department and the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to contests and children's shows organized by the Sharjah Municipality and youth centres, to military music shows by the Sharjah Police and specialised exhibitions and workshops for children presented by the Environmental and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) and the Arts Department.

The culmination of the Festival is one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year - the finale to the F1 Powerboat World Championships-Sharjah Grand Prix, hosted by Sharjah for the tenth consecutive year this year, and taking place on 10 and 11 December 2009 at Khalid Lagoon.

The Etisalat-Sharjah Water Festival will run until 12 December from 16:00 to 22:00 Saturday to Wednesday, and 16:00 to 24:00 on Thursdays and Fridays.