Jakarta Fair closed with fireworks

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Fireworks have marked the end of the month-long Jakarta Fair on Sunday, and giving way to another fair scheduled to open on Monday.

"We prefer to call the closing night a transition night, because we will now open the Indonesian Fair that will last until Aug. 20," Jakarta Fair 2005 committee chairwoman Hartati Murdaya said in a written release.

The Indonesian Fair 2005 will display the country's goods and services to appeal both foreign and domestic buyers, as well as the public.

At this year's Jakarta Fair, the committee recorded an increase of 28.5 percent in total transactions worth almost Rp 500 billion. Last year, the fair brought in about Rp 389 billion as it closed.

According to its website, the 2005 Jakarta Fair listed automotive transactions of Rp 279.3 billion, followed by food and beverages as well as home appliances and electronics.

With more than 2.4 million visitors, an increase on last year's 2.2 million, the committee chairwoman saw this as a good development for the future of the event.

The last night of the annual fair marking Jakarta's 478th "anniversary" was celebrated with fireworks and door prizes ranging from cars to motorcycles.

Apart from the fireworks, last day audiences were entertained by Indonesian pop bands Wong Pitoe, Coklat, /rif and jazz-singer Syaharani. The four local entertainers were the musical highlight of the month with the concert taking place in the PRJ Kemayoran, North Jakarta.

Jakartans were also treated to presentation of a local traditional music called Campursari Betawi with a mix of Chinese martial art wushu in its newly-added Kampung Betawi area.

The last musical event started at 10 p.m. and lasted until dawn.

And as the committee put it, "So long Jakarta Fair, welcome Indonesia Fair." (003)