By Sarmad Qazi
Staff Reporter
With the advent of Eid Al Adha from today, a frenzy of community-wide festivities will begin across the nation, lasting for four days.
The scenic Corniche Bay road has been decked up, with rows of date palm decorated with lights across the approximately eight-kilometre stretch.
In a return to tradition, there have also been reports of fireworks being planned on the Corniche on the first three evenings of Eid.
Corniche, as well as other popular destinations in the country, Mesaieed, Zikreet, Semeisma and Al Khor are also expected to receive large number of holidaymakers all through Eid thanks to the weather forecast of temperatures expected to be in the mid-20s in addition to scattered showers.
Meanwhile various shopping malls have geared well to cope with the expected visit of thousands of families during the holidays. At the Villagio, in addition to usual weekend activities, one of the newest and the largest family-oriented theme parks in Doha will see a soft opening today at 3pm. The “Gondolania” Family Entertainment Centre will initially have thrill rides such as roller coaster, flume ride, tap dance, drop zone, sky loop and carousel, in addition to a video arcade area during the Eid Al Adha week.
“The roller coaster is about 280 feet in height and around 10 major rides will be part of the soft opening,” officials told Gulf Times yesterday. While adults will be charged QR50, kids will have to pay QR30 for unlimited rides.
A state-of-the-art, Go Kart Racing track, a 12-lane bowling centre and a 4D theatre will begin operations at a later stage, officials said.
Hyatt Plaza is also hosting a variety of Eid holiday activities from today until Monday from 6.30pm to 9.10pm in the fashion concourse area. Patrons should take Gate No 2 to enter the festival area, an official said yesterday.
The celebrations feature a number of stage activities such as magic show, acrobatics, midget performers, song and dance, comedy and clown shows, face painting, themed games for kids and grown ups along with prizes for participants.
“All the entertainment programmes will be performed by a troupe of professional artistes who have dazzled audiences with their gravity-defying acts in different countries,” said an official.Additionally, kids will also be able to participate in a painting competition and win prizes. Hyatt Plaza general manager Feroz Moideen said, “Eid Al Adha is a very special occasion for all of us, and it is our obligation to celebrate this great occasion with all the people of Qatar.”
The popular City Center Mall will host an acclaimed puppet show, ‘Chudaki,’ which includes the ‘Four Seasons’ musical series. The show will be held from today until December 6. The first show, ‘Four Seasons’ will start at 6.40 pm and the second show, ‘Play with Us’ will begin at 8pm on each day.
City Center will however restrict the entry of bachelors on the first three days of Eid.
Also on the Corniche, at the open-air Souq Waqif, a host of animation and acrobatic shows will be held daily commencing today. The shows will be held from 4pm daily until December 1. During the Eid Al Fitr holidays earlier in September as well as during last year’s Eid Al Adha, street performers and ‘statues’ entertained crowds at the popular destination.
Al Dosari Zoo located on the Shahaniya Road will also commemorate Eid from tomorrow. Activities which will begin at 6am include various competitions, horse-riding, camel rides and visits to the museum.
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