Visitors at the Pesta Penang 2024 at Sungai Nibong in Penang. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
Penang fair boasts exciting rides, food, sports, concerts, petting zoo and more
GEORGE TOWN: Pesta Pulau Pinang, one of Penang’s highlights, is growing bigger by the year.
The target set for this year’s fair is 500,000 visitors – its biggest edition since it first began in 1970.
In 2023, the fair managed to draw some 360,000 people.
The event’s senior manager Refnaldy Azuardi said the fair, which kicked off on Dec 21 and is usually held over a month, will be extended to 44 days up to Feb 2 next year.
“We rescheduled Pesta Pulau Pinang this year to coincide with the mid-term school holidays and continue into the year-end school holidays,” he said when met at the fair site in Sungai Nibong.
Refnaldy said this year, the fair’s organising committee focused more on landscaping and lighting to enhance visitors’ overall experience and also to provide better photo-taking opportunities.
Among the main attractions is the Pasar Saloma featuring some 100 booths offering a variety of food from Malay classic 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.
Its organiser Yana Yusoof said Penangites will enjoy a gastronomic journey of traditional Malay flavours, along with a rich cultural experience and a trip down memory lane.
Another highlight is the mini petting zoo currently on tour in the country. Its operator Alim Jefferi Abdullah Aziz said about 70 exotic animals such as iguanas, parrots, snakes and alpaca are on display.
“We expect the alpaca to be the favourite as this is the first time we have brought it,” he said.
Entry tickets for the mini petting zoo is fixed at RM10 for adults and RM8 for children.
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 local artistes such as Blind Tribe, Hattan, Kristal X, Rusty Blade, Senario, and OAG.
Thrill-seekers can check out the Euro Fun Park featuring rides such as Vortex, Euro Wheel, Sky Rider, and Daytona.
Refnaldy said there are over 70 booths by various agencies and booths selling items, merchandise and accessories.
“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 added.
The fair is open from 5.30pm to midnight daily with tickets priced at RM5 for adults. Admission is free for children aged between six and 12.
Penang Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak will officially launch Pesta Pulau Pinang 2024/2025 on Jan 1.
