Annual seaside festival kicks off
JAKARTA (JP): Song and dance, fun and games, a beachwear fashion show and a summer frolic are all on offer at this year's Jakarta Bay fiesta.
The annual festival was launched yesterday at the Ria Ancol Beach in North Jakarta and will reach its climax on Sunday.
The city's Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Office has organized a variety of events to cater for all ages, including water games, a bazaar, cooking competitions, seminars and an art exhibition.
A boat rowing competition with 900 young participants and a pedal boat race for elementary school students kicked off the gala affair.
A troupe of girls dressed in the city's traditional yellow and red costumes performed the Ronggeng Betawi welcoming dance, and the Trisakti University marching band entertained the crowd while a group of high school students performed Jaipongan, a popular traditional Sundanese dance.
Jakarta Deputy Governor Idroes said the fiesta was a good way to promote the city as a must-see tourist destination.
"This kind of festival will also support the development of the waterfront city project in the Jakarta Bay area," he said at the launch.
All events, including the games, are free of charge.
Today there will be a sailing competition and cultural and art performances, including a demonstration of Pencak Silat, the Indonesian traditional martial art, by high school students.
Fashion designer Poppy Dharsono will host a beachwear fashion shows for adults and children tomorrow.
At Taman Ria, in the Ancol Dreamland complex, college bands will perform a selection of music including dangdut.
The Bahari Museum in Kota, Central Jakarta, will join in the festivities by holding an exhibition on the evolution of shipping in Indonesia.
On Sunday there will be fishing competitions and cooking contests at the Muara Angke fishing port. All fish caught during the competition will be auctioned at the fish market.
The head of Jakarta's Tourism, Post and Telecommunication Office, Pudjo Basuki, said: "I hope the people participating in this event will come to appreciate the sea more." (07)