Thousands to visit Sarawak River Festival

KUCHING: Plenty of prizes awaits lucky visitors to the inaugural Sarawak River Festival @ Ga Danu 2012 at Kampung Danu, along Jalan Puncak Borneo at the upper part of Sungai Sarawak Kiri in Penrissen this weekend (October 27 & 28).

Members of Kampung Danu cultural troupe ready
to welcome their visitors.

Staged on the picturesque pebble bed on the Sungai Sarawak Kiri by the river bank of  Kampung Danu, the activities at the festival include treasure hunt, water sports, live band performance and sale of food and beverages.
The two-day festival is organised by Maasa Event Management in collaboration with Kampung Danu Development and Security Committee.
Maasa Event Management general manager Ceasser Robert said beside RM2,100 cash prizes in the Sarawak River Treasure Hunt 2012, which will be held on Sunday, lucky festival goers will also win lucky draw prizes.
Other water sports events to be held on Sunday are swimming and boat race.
Ceasser said those wanting to participate in the long boat race can register at the festival’s site, adding that each boat will consist of six paddlers and without registration fee.
He said visitors to the festival are also invited to participate in various other games and activities to win cash prizes and goodies.
Among the games will be the Red Bull Challenge where the winners would win cash prizes and Red Bull premium items.
Ceasser said two extra events has been included on the second day of the festival, that is the gangnam style dancing and poco-poco dancing to add more fun to the festival at the pebble field by the river bank of Kampung Danu.
“Visitors are invited to participate in the dancing and best three dancers would be picked to win three prizes,” said Ceasser, who anticipated thousands of people from far and near would turn up at the festival.
Other activities on Sunday include live band performance featuring several singers including AF7 finalist Claudia Geres and Paul Kadun who his popular with his song entitled “Ondu biranak sindo”. Dirgahayu II with their dangdut female singer will be the band in attendance.
“There will be about 30 stalls selling food and beverages, local products while Red Bull and Maxis will also be putting up their boots to promote their respective products and services,” he added.
The festival sponsors are Assistant Minister of Public Health Dr Jerip Susil, JFAM Logistics Sdn Bhd, Carlseberg, Red Bull, Maxis, Nescafe and several individuals.
The festival will kick off with a live band performance on October 27, starting at 8 pm to 12 pm.
Ceasser said all the stalls with canopies has been booked but said those interested to trade during the festival can still do so but have to bring along their own canopies.
Ceasser said the event is aimed at complimenting the Ministry of Tourism effort in luring tourists to the area.
Such events have the potential to be important event in the developing of the tourism industry in Penrissen and Bengoh area.
The Sarawak River Treasure Hunt 2012 was launched by Public Health Assistant Minister Dr Jerip Susil in November last year and the latter and his wife will be visiting and officiating at the closing of the festival on Sunday.
Ceasser said the event was also aim to introduce exciting places around Penrissen to tourists and the the same time the villagers would be able to benefit from the event to supplement their family income through homestay programme, providing transportation, sale of food and beverages as well as sale of souvenirs, handicrafts and jungle produce.