The VR section is one of the busiest sections at SEC. PICTURES: Ram Chand
With an array of new activities and entertainment options for all ages, the Summer Entertainment City (SEC) has once again proved to be a family-favourite indoor destination.
The SEC, spread over a 29,000sqm area at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, is featuring the ‘Kids Driving School,’ a mini golf course, world’s largest bouncy castle and a huge virtual reality (VR) section, among other unique activities, in this edition. “Almost 90% is new stuff here, including the mini zoo, 15 new amusement rides, football fan zone, the giant slides and 140 retail shops,” QSports (organiser) founder and board member Adil Ahmed, who is also the SEC project director, told Gulf Times.
Among the various entertainment offerings at SEC, he said the VR section has become one of the busiest this year, attracting a large number of young visitors who enjoy playing the games. Citing its popularity, Ahmed noted that VR games cater mostly to the youth. “It is a market usually for 10 to 18 years of age and a reason for QSports to focus on the digital media for its activations at SEC this year.”
Families enjoying the various amusement rides.
The SEC is the main venue for the country’s longest festival – the Qatar Summer Festival, providing residents and visitors a wide range of entertainment shows, amusement rides, fun-filled activities and food options. One of the new activities this year, the indoor mini zoo, is a big hit as it hosts a combination of domestic animals, which are “docile enough to pet and feed” such as sheep, ponies, turtles, and rabbits, among others.
The SEC also welcomes “adults, young people and the working group” to its mini golf, teaching them the skills to score points. The gold pass (QR135) allows people to play 40 rounds. For an interactive fun experience, the ‘Crazy Chicken’ is the right section to visit while the Kids Driving School gives children “the feel how is it like driving in your neighbourhood.” It also teaches them the basics of driving and about being safe.
Many visitors also enjoy ice skating on a synthetic ice skating rink at SEC, besides the animal carts, skill games, trampoline park, ocean ball, face painting and kids inflatable fun zone. Juggling shows, human statue, magic shows, science shows, bubble shows and fire shows will continue to entertain spectators this weekend. Performers also engage young children on a number of games on stage.
“The place has witnessed the largest turnout each day since opening its gates on June 15 and it is expected to be the most visited attraction this summer in Qatar,” Ahmed said. “The rides we have cater to all ages and the number of attractions makes this an all day special.”
Apart from these various entertainment options, SEC also hosts more than 40 food outlets, which offer different flavours for people to choose.
Ahmed added that cultural shows, in collaboration with more than 40 embassies in Doha, will also continue next week, featuring the performances from Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malaysia, and India.
