Jakarta Fair closed with fireworks

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)