MORE THAN 20 INTERNATIONAL SHOWS AND NEVER BEFORE SEEN ATTRACTIONS PROMISED
SHARJAH, December 12, 2013
The Sharjah Water Festival 2013 got off to a grand start on Wednesday with HE Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Corporation, formally opening the seventh edition of the popular festival in the presence of HE Mohamed Ali Al Noman, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, HE Sultan bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, Chairman, Sharjah Economic Development Department, HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Director General, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority and Nicolo di San Germano, Promoter of UIM F1 Powerboat Racing and a number of senior officials and dignitaries and visitors at Al Majaz Park.
The 11-day festival, organised by the SCTDA for the seventh year and featuring popular entertainment and amusement activities sourced from around the world, will run until December 21, 2013.
In his comments on the occasion, Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qassimi said Sharjah Water Festival, Sharjah Grand Prix, Sharjah Light Festival and other such international events have helped Sharjah earn itself a special place in the region and around the world and brought the Emirate the recognition as the Capital of Arab and Islamic culture.
Al Qassimi lauded the Authority for its continuing efforts to attract international visitors with world-class family festivals and events that celebrate the Emirati and Arab heritage and values.
Speaking on the occasion, SCTDA Chairman HE Mohamed Ali Al Noman said that the Sharjah Water Festival, celebrating the theme of water and related activities, has always attracted families from across the country and beyond.
Al Noman said that the Authority’s efforts to position Sharjah as a complete tourism destination for families locally, regionally and internationally, and attract international visitors have been immensely helped by the diversity and uniqueness of its festivals and events.
The SCTDA Chairman said that the Water Festival fills the UAE and the region with waves of fun in December every year and attracts thousands of visitors from across the region and beyond at the peak of holiday season.
The Sharjah Water Festival this year will prove to be the most entertaining yet as the organizers have roped in some of the best artists, performers and technical wizards to provide non-stop, wholesome fun for 11 days, emphasized Al Noman.
“This year we have several new attractions and shows that are being offered for the first time in the region,” said Al Noman saying fun gets better year after year. “The Sharjah Water Festival is one of our biggest and most popular events, celebrating the Emirate as a key festival tourism destination and helping increase the tourist inflow,” added the SCTDA Chairman.
The Diving Show, Ice Age Show, Ice Rink, Petting Zoo, and Speaking Tree etc., are some of the highlights of this year’s package of fun. The world renowned Aqua Circus featuring high dives and mind-boggling acrobatic feats over water, an outdoor Ice Rink which is the largest of its kind in the UAE, Roaming Carnival with musical stilt performers, unicyclists, jugglers, ribbon dancers, mimes and musicians and Street Entertainment with theater performers, sourced from around the world are some of the highlights of the Water Festival this year.
Public Skate Park is another big attraction this year, which appears for the very first time in the region. Al Majaz Park, the venue, has been divided into three areas, according to age groups — Adventure Zone, Fun Zone and Kids’ Zone – for easier access.
Al Majaz is open from 4pm to 11pm on weekdays and until midnight during weekends. Mouj, the festival’s popular mascot, will be on hand to meet and greet young visitors and share souvenir pictures and lots of fun.
The SCTDA has been promoting the Sharjah Water Festival all around the year in its participation in international travel and tourism exhibitions and events. The Authority also showcased the festival in road shows it organized in the GCC and European capitals.
A special dedicated website www.swf.ae in both Arabic and English offers all relevant info about shows and attractions on offer, show timings and site map.