This may be the last time Pesta Pesta Pulau Pinang is held at its Sungai Nibong site. — Photos: CHAN BOON KAI, K. KASTURI DEWI/The Star
THE annual Pesta Pulau Pinang has been a fixture in the state’s calendar for almost six decades.
The festival is a much cherished event that offers oodles of fun with bazaars, food and entertaining activities for the whole family.
Penang heritage stalwart and activist Datuk Seri Dr Anwar Fazal remembers Pesta Pulau Pinang as “the place to be” in the 1970s.
According to him, there was much fun, energy and enthusiasm at the lively event, also known as Festival of Penang.
“People from all ages and walks of life, especially families, thronged the carnival-like event back then.
“They came not only from Penang, but also from Kedah, Perak, south Thailand and even Medan, Indonesia.
“There used to be an industrial and trade fair, open-air concerts, variety shows, food bazaars, rides, fun fairs, exhibitions, pet shows, beauty pageants, film festivals, joget, wayang kulit, Chingay, fashion shows, go-kart prix and many other exciting activities back then to draw the visitors.
“At that time, Penang was half-dying because we lost the free port status in the 1960s.
Kids enjoying bumper car rides at the fair.
“Suddenly, there was this vibrant carnival-like trade event being held at the Esplanade which made everyone go ‘wow!’”
“I think this was also the time when Penang began to recognise the appeal of festivals,” he said.
Origin story
The annual attraction has been widely regarded as the must-attend event as it showcases consumer goods and is held during the year-end school holiday period.
Since its inception in 1966, the festival has steadily gained popularity among the local community, even domestic and international visitors.
Anwar, 83, said that the then chief minister Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu had wanted to rejuvenate Penang’s economy and boost retail sales during a time of high unemployment.
Visitors thronging the haunted house at the Pesta Pulau Pinang.
He recalled being given the responsibility of writing publicity materials for the Pesta’s first souvenir programme, back when he was the assistant city secretary of the Penang Municipal Council (now known as Penang Island City Council).
“Phoenix Press, which was then known as Georgetown Printers, printed the souvenir programme.
“The late SM Mohamed Idris (long-time president of the Consumers Association of Penang, CAP) was the first chairman of the Pesta committee.
“Together with his working committee members, they managed to get some 70 to 100 traders to take part in the fair,” Anwar added.
In the early days, there was no fixed location for the Pesta. It was held at places such as the Esplanade and Lebuh Macallum before it was moved to the Sungai Nibong site in 1974.
The state government built the Sungai Nibong site and relocating the Pesta there was instrumental to its success.
Rose Charities Malaysia president Datuk Lawrence Cheah, 82, recalled going to the Pesta for the first time with his parents when he was young.
“In those days, people looked forward to the fair because of its carnival atmosphere. It was lots of fun with so many events and activities.
The Merry-Go-Round is one of the fairground’s attractions.
“Today, Pesta has lost its appeal as there are many shopping malls and other attractions,” he noted.
“Some effort should be taken to import new attractions for Pesta,” he said.
Cheah said he hoped that in the event that the Pesta was to be relocated, it would be promoted as an international tourist attraction.
“Pesta is a household event in Penang and it should grow in magnitude, splendour and gaiety to reflect the state’s growing economy and our rich cultural heritage,” he said.
CAP senior education officer NV Subbarow, 70, said he used to take his family, including his young children, to Pesta every year in December during the school holidays to enjoy the rides, horror house and games.
“We have fond memories and had unforgettable moments at Pesta. My kids were very happy and joyful every December because they knew it would be Pesta time.
“However, this all changed over the years when Pesta became more commercialised.”
Subbarow said the present Pesta site was convenient to reach not only for those from Penang island but also those from the mainland and other states, as it was easy to access from both Penang bridges.
(From right) Durga and Vasanraj showing their child Kaliani the iguana at the mobile petting zoo.
“There is also ample space for parking, which is one of the plus points of this site,” he said.
Half a million visitors
The current 58th edition of Pesta Pulau Pinang, which kicked off on Dec 21, is on until Feb 2.
The event organiser’s senior manager Refnaldy Azuardi said there were over 70 booths selling merchandise and accessories.
Jureh says he didn’t want to miss out on the excitement after hearing that the fair may be relocated.
“We had about 10,000 visitors on the first day. With the festive season and school holidays in full swing, we are hopeful of hitting the half-million target,” he said.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow was present during the official launch ceremony yesterday.
This year’s event was rescheduled to coincide with the mid-term school holidays and continue into the year-end school holidays.
This time around, the festival’s organising committee focused on landscaping and lighting to enhance visitors’ overall experience and provide better photo-taking opportunities.
Anwar recalls writing publicity materials for the Pesta’s first souvenir programme.
Among the festival’s main attractions is the Pasar Saloma that offers a variety of food, from classic Malay dishes to Thai and Indonesian delicacies.
Pasar Saloma, which is popular in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, is being featured for the first time in the northern region.
Another highlight is the mini petting zoo, with about 70 animals, such as iguanas, parrots, snakes and alpaca available for interaction.
Other activities include the Battle of the Bands, a cat show, a silat competition, a muay thai exhibition, e-sports and an armed forces exhibition.
There are also daily concerts by artistes such as Blind Tribe, Hattan, Kristal X, Rusty Blade, Senario and OAG.
Thrill-seekers can head for the Euro Fun Park featuring rides such as Vortex, Euro Wheel, Sky Rider and Daytona.
The fair is open from 5.30pm to midnight daily with tickets priced at RM5 for adults.
Admission is free for children up to 12 years old.
Pesta regulars Zahid (left) and his family feeding an alpaca.
Last hurrah?
This could possibly be the last time that Pesta Pulau Pinang is held in Sungai Nibong.
State publisher Buletin Mutiara quoted Penang transport and infrastructure committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari as saying that the current site in Sungai Nibong would be transformed into a transit-oriented development (TOD) integrated project through a collaboration between MRT Corp and the Penang government.
Zairil was quoted as saying that the state government had yet to decide on Pesta’s future.
Penang Financial Officer Datuk Zabidah Safar said Pesta operations were under the jurisdiction of the State Financial Department (JKNPP).
She said Pesta was initially held to promote Penang as a major tourist destination in the country, focusing on cultural, heritage, food, arts, entertainment, tourism and sports activities.
Subbarow says he used to take his children to the Pesta during the school holidays every year when they were young.
“Over the years, Pesta grew in magnitude and incorporated more elements to reflect the state’s progress and growth.
“Popular events such as local artistes’ stage shows and muay thai competition also became part of Pesta.
“It began gaining popularity internationally and this gave a positive impact to the state’s tourism industry,” she said.
On plans for the Pesta site, Zabidah said the state was still in the early stages of the LRT project implementation and discussions on the site’s transformation would be held in tandem with state government decisions.
Reliving memories
Spotted at the carnival were factory worker M. Durga, 23, with her husband S. Vasanraj, 24, and their two-year-old daughter Kaliani.
A rock band performing at Arena 1 of Pesta Pulau Pinang.
Durga said visiting the festival after 10 years brought back memories of her father bringing her to the fair when she was a child.
“Coming back here now with my daughter is indeed very special as my daughter will now form her own memories of this place, especially if the Pesta is to be relocated next year.
“I am glad that I came to the fair this year. I would have regretted not coming if Pesta was moved from here.”
Civil servant Zahid Rashid, 49, said he and his family had been visiting the Pesta annually except during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This year, it feels a bit different and more joyful, with so many booths and food stalls for us to visit,” he said.
Cheah recalls visiting the Pesta in his younger days and hopes it will be promoted as an international tourist attraction.
Another visitor, who wanted to be known only as Tan, 40, from Kampung Melayu, Air Itam, said Pesta Pulau Pinang was the state’s iconic event.
“People associate Pesta with Penang. It is part of Penang’s traditions,” he said.
Hospital nurses Charles Jureh, 40, and wife Detha Antanum, 38, from Sabah, said they visited Pesta at Sungai Nibong for the first time although they had been living in Penang for eight years.
“It would be a very sad thing if they move Pesta elsewhere because it is very convenient for us to come here from Bukit Mertajam where we live.
“We didn’t want to miss out on the excitement. Pesta is something very unique to Penang and even foreigners seem to know about it,” said Jureh, adding that they were looking forward to visiting Pesta again.
