DM to fill parks with spectacular fun activities during DSF 2006

Announcing details of the civic body's DSF events at Zabeel Park on Monday, Ahmed Mohammed AbdulKarim, Director of Public Parks and Horticulture Department and Head of the Committee for Preparing and Supervising Dubai Municipality's Activities for DSF, said this year the main attraction will be the exciting activities including the Symphony Orchestra of Russia, the Charlie Chaplin show and the International Food Fiesta at the newly opened Zabeel park, the first technology theme park in the Middle East.

He said the Municipality has added Zabeel Park as a new recreational oasis in the festival map and as a gift to the visitors of the city. "The park distinguishes itself with its unique location and a host of distinctive facilities such as the Mega Bowl, Panoramic Tower, Imax Theatre, Space Maze, Barcode Garden, Lake, Alternative Energy Zone and Play Zone," said AbdulKarim.

The press conference was also attended by Ismail Al Banna, Member of the Committee for Preparing and Supervising Dubai Municipality's Activities for DSF, who is also the Assistant Director of Public Parks and Horticulture Department and Head of Parks and Recreations Section and Mohammed Al Fardan, Member of the DSF Organising Committee and also the Head of Promotions and Recreations Office in the Department.

Shedding light on the entertainment shows, to be held at the public parks, he said they include the world famous Symphony Orchestra of Russia and the Charlie Chaplin show at Zabeel Park, Islands of the World show and Syrian and Brazilian folk groups at Creek Park, and Guinness World Records and Dubai World Records at Safa Park. There are other exciting activities and competitions like the Fun City at Mamzar Park, puppet shows, music performances, fireworks and park carnival at the Creek Park.

"We promise that these shows and events will offer much fun and surprise to all visitors of the public parks. Every attempt is made to add innovation and creativity to these shows and we hope this wide range of events would suit every taste," he said.

AbdulKarim said the parks' visitors this year were expected to exceed 800,000 thanks to the Eid holidays and winter holidays, in addition to a moderate weather.

The Children's City at the Creek Park, he said, would be another attraction this year. "This largest edutainment facility for children in the Middle East has lined up a number of activities that would satisfy tastes of children of all age-groups," he noted.

Apart from spending millions of Dirhams in bringing world-class entertainment shows to Dubai's parks, AbdulKarim said the Municipality was also making every effort within its jurisdiction to make this year's DSF a memorable one. "The municipality is decorating the city as well as venues of various festival events with lights and flowers. We have used a new lighting system this year spending over Dhs6 million. In addition, we are also involved in preserving the city's cleanliness and ensuring food safety," he said.

International Food Fiesta

Commenting on the major shows of the municipality during this DSF, Ismail Al Banna said the newly opened Zabeel Park will host a first of its kind event called International Food Fiesta at the Mega Bowl in Area A of the park during the Eid holidays from 10am t0 5pm.
The International Food Fiesta is a three-day food-cum entertainment extravaganza providing the best selection of international cuisines along with a mix of free food sampling, stage events, a food bazaar and loads of interactive events. The highlights of the event will be Boogie Woogie Dance competition, loads of giveaways and cooking with a film star and Buffet 505, the largest buffet of the world.

Aqua Fantasia

Aqua Fantasia, the award-winning popular show of DSF, would be better and more spectacular than before. It will feature dancing fountains, water screen, jet fountains, fireworks and movie effects accompanied by eastern and international music. There will be two shows daily at 7pm and 8pm. Additionally, a third show will be held at 9.30pm during the Eid holidays. The show, to be held at the amphitheatre of the park, is accessible from Gate 7 of the Creek Park.

Symphony Orchestra of Russia

The Symphony Orchestra of Russia, which will be one of the major highlights of the Zabeel Park, will be participated by more than 75 artistes. This world famous music band will be performed at the Zabeel Park stage with the accompaniment of a number of fireworks. The show will be held from 4 to 19 January from 4.30pm to 10.30 pm.

Charlie Chaplin Show

The Charlie Chaplin Show will be staged at the Zabeel Park and the Creek Park from 4.30pm to 8.30pm daily throughout the DSF 2006. The show, to be performed by Charlie Chaplin Al Sham Comical Group from Syria, include comical theatre, children's play, children's singing and dancing show, competitions and games programmes.

Islands of the World

Al Banna said the show, which will be staged from 6pm to 7pm at Creek Park, will be a unique exposure to the tiny islands that dot our oceans, a special platform to portray the essence of each island's culture and will offer an insight to their cultural practices, traditional food, arts and crafts, music and dance.

Folk troupes

Al Fardan said the Syrian and Brazil folk troupes will perform at the Creek Park during weekend holidays from 4.30pm to 10.30pm. Eight artistes from the Jollanar Syrian Folk & Theatre Dance Troupe from Syria will perform folk and theatre dance shows of Syria and Different Arab countries.

Children's City

He said the Children's City at the Creek Park will have a variety of activities throughout the DSF 2006 from 11am to 1pm and from 4pm to 9pm. The activities include face painting, workshops, three children's plays a day in Arabic and English, group birth day parties and magic shows, in addition to the different permanent exhibits at the different sections of the Children's City.

Park Carnival

Several street performers will entertain the Creek Park visitors throughout the Eid holidays by performing acrobatic tricks. The area can be accessed from Gate 1 of the park.