Annual seaside festival kicks off
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)