Tourism & Hospitality | Tuesday 26 July, 2016 5:55 pm |

Under the patronage of H.H Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the Union and Ruler of Ajman, the 3rd edition of Liwa Ajman Date Festival will kick off tomorrow, July 27 at Emirates Hospitality Centre and will run until Friday, July 29.

Prizes worth AED400,000 are up for grabs at this year’s festival where hundreds of Emirati farmers will display their finest date produce including citrus fruits. The main rule for all entries is that the produce is grown locally.

Saud Al Jasmi, Head of Liwa Ajman Date Festival Committee, said: “Mark your calendar and head to Emirates Hospitality Center starting tomorrow to see the biggest display of the finest produce from the UAE’s date and fruit palms. It would be an interesting and entertaining three days because not only it celebrates our rich heritage and traditions but the event also allows residents and visitors to meet and learn. We have developed an exciting line-up of activities for people of all ages to enjoy so we hope to see you at the festival.”

The first day of the festival will focus on the Elite dates (Al Nokhba) while the second and third day will highlight the other types of date such as Al Khallas, Al Kunaizi, Al Barhi, Al Sheshe, Al Farth and Lulu. Winners of each category will be announced and awarded on the same day. The harvests will be auctioned on the last day of the festival and proceeds will benefit a charity organization in Ajman.

Residents and visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the UAE’s culture and its farming industry and take part in family activities. There will be shows and cultural programmes throughout the three-day festival.

A culinary corner where chefs from four-star and five-star hotels in the emirate including Ajman Saray, Fairmont Ajman, Kempinski Ajman, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman and The Ajman Palace will prepare food with date flavour for free tasting while kids can visit the Kids’ Corner featuring cultural competitions and art workshops that will explain the benefits of dates and significance of palm trees.

There is the traditional market which hosts shops displaying the handmade products of Emirati families and visitors can buy authentic heritage products that are made from palm leaves and related to the different aspects of Bedouin life.

Opening hours for the festival will be from 10am to 10pm on Wednesday, July 27 and Thursday, July 28 and from 4pm to midnight on Friday, July 29.

The Liwa Ajman Date Festival is being organised by Ajman Tourism Development Department with the cooperation of Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee and main sponsors Al Foah and Liwa Dates, Zabeel Studio, Ajman Folk Arts Association and Theater, Karji Perfumes, SpaceToon Channel, Thumbay Hospital, in addition to the supporting authorities and festival participants, Juma Al Majid Center For Culture & Heritage, Environment and Protected Areas Authorities, Sharjah Museums Department, Sharjah Girl Guides, Khalifa International Award For Date Palm Agricultural Innovation, Children Centers, Ajman Youth Center, Emirates Environmental Group, General Women's Union, Ajman Educational Zone, Farmers Services Center, United Arab Emirates University and media partner ‘Ajman Vision’.