Dazzling parade marks city anniversary

Dazzling parade marks city anniversary

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Dozens of dancers in ethnic costumes commenced their performance
in anticipation of the opening of a parade of dozens of floats,
horse-drawn buggies, Harley Davidson motorcycles and marching
bands by Governor Sutiyoso, who appeared carrying a blue
umbrella.

As Sutiyoso opened the umbrella, firecrackers lit up the sky,
dazzling hundreds of spectators along Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan
in Central Jakarta on Saturday night.

At least 20 decorated floats from five municipalities and the
Thousand Islands regency, as well as city agencies, non-
governmental organizations and student groups participated in the
parade.

The dance performance and the parade, which later moved to Jl.
Thamrin and the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, were but two in a
series of events on Saturday night to celebrate the city's 478th
anniversary.

A dangdut show featuring several famous singers was staged in
front of Hotel Indonesia, while laser shows were put on at
National Monument (Monas) park and City Hall.

Thousands of residents in cars and on motorcycles enjoyed the
event from their positions on Jl. Medan Merdeka and Jl. Thamrin.

"I came here to see the parade with my family. We will stay to
enjoy the dangdut show as well. I don't want to miss a thing,"
said Ade, 36, a resident of Grogol, West Jakarta.

Not all Jakartans were appreciative of the parade, however, as
traffic slowed to a halt on Jl. Thamrin, two lanes of which had
been closed since 6:00 p.m.

The traffic jam stretched from Jl. Sudirman to the end of Jl.
Thamrin.

Many motorists were unaware of the celebrations and confused
as to why there was a traffic jam on a Saturday night.

"I was stuck for over an hour in the traffic jam. And I had to
drop my passengers off before reaching their destination. If I
had known, I would have taken another route. They should have
informed us," said taxi driver Mujiono.