Big rush for entries at UAE dates beauty contest

Mezirah: Dozens of date farmers in the Western Region will take part in the "dates beauty competition" at the Fourth Liwa Festival on Saturday.

The judging committee has received the dates which will be part of the eight categories in the competition.

Some of the best-known dates in the UAE include Khalas, Dabass, Mumiez, Abu Maan, and Monawaa.

The judges will also choose the best date display, the largest date branch and the ideal farm.

Rashid Rasas Al Mansouri from the organising committee said 280 farmers have registered in the category of the largest date branches and 200 took part in the category of best display.

A secret judicial committee examined the dates produced in farms owned by locals in Abu Dhabi emirate, and gave points on percentages of 40 for shape, 30 for being well-formed and 30 percentage points for cleanliness.

Handicraft contest

"The income of the daily auction on dates and products in the exhibition has reached more than Dh1.7 million," Al Mansouri said.

Over 60 baskets of dates were sold in the daily auction since the festival started on July 17 and about 180 shops are taking part in the exhibition selling various products related to dates, palm trees and traditional handicrafts.

On the other hand more than 200 women are waiting for the results of the first handicraft competition organised for the first time in the Festival by the 'Made in UAE' organisation.

The competition is divided in two parts, one for original handicrafts and the other for modern handicrafts.

"All the works have to be related to the palm trees," said Azza Al Qubasi, artist and judge of the competition.