Pineapple Fest to promote Sarikei as a food producer
Sarikei Pineapple Fest ( Pesta Nanas) to promote the division as a food hub this year will be held from Oct 3 to 12.
As it would be held during the pineapple off- season, the fruits might not be in abundance during the event, Sarikei Resident Dahim Nadot said during a press conference last Tuesday afternoon.
“Nevertheless, the 10- day event would be packed with programmes to promote and prosper Sarikei as the state’s main food producer in line with the festival’s tagline - Sarikei, the Food Basket of Sarawak,” he assured.
Dahim who is also the event’s advisor said showcasing the event would have two components: one undertaken by the government departments and agencies while the other by players from the private sector.
Apart from the main stage, some 175 booths would be put up to accommodate the participants, 20 booths for government departments and agencies to put up exhibitions, demonstrations etc, and the rest to the private sector for sale and promotion of products.
Just like last year, booths would be set up along Central Road, Market Road, open spaces near the Central Market and Sarikei Civic Centre.
Private company Top Event Management ( Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, which handled the trade and exhibition section and part of the stage programme in last year’s Pineapple Fest, had been engaged again this year with the Resident’s Office still the main organiser.
Among the crowd-pulling programmes will be a development
Nevertheless, the 10-day event would be packed with programmes to promote and prosper Sarikei as the state’s main food producer in line with the festival’s tagline - Sarikei, the Food Basket of Sarawak. Dahim Nadot, Sarikei Resident
and agricultural exhibition, Sarikei Kitchen, educational and awareness talks and photography competition to be presented by government departments and agencies.
The company’s manager Edward Henry Mut revealed at the press conference programmes to be presented by Top Event Management ( M) Sdn Bhd like stage performance by local recording artistes, musical concert from One Dance Studio, Pineapple Beauty Queen Contest, Pineapple Star Children/Adult Singing Competition, Pineapple King Eating Competition, Pineapple Culinary Competition, and cultural and martial arts performances.
According to Edward, about 50 per cent of the 155 booths allocated to the private sector had been taken up.
He called on those interested to rent the remaining booths to contact their representative Chan Chang Chie of Ing Motor at Jalan Repok ( 017- 85241000).
Dahim mentioned a plan to hold the event on a fixed date from next year.
“To justify the event’s name, it is appropriate to hold it during the peak pineapple season which is around May, but that is not meant to over ride its main objective as per event tagline - Sarikei, the food basket of Sarawak,” he reiterated.
“Sarikei Pineapple Fest will continue to be undertaken as a launching pad to promote the division as a food producer and agro-tourism destination,” he added.
Among those present were Deputy Resident Lim Hock Meng and chairman of Sarikei District Council, Chan Phan Chan.