Summer in Abu Dhabi a big hit

Abu Dhabi: Summer in Abu Dhabi - the six-week mega family carnival currently under way in the UAE capital - is on course to break last year's attendance of 130,000 visitors with some 35,000 having attended during the event's first 11 days.

"Last Friday proved to be the peak when some 3,400 turned up at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre to experience this extravaganza which features 200 performers from 11 countries," said Faisal Al Shaikh, Events Section Head, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, which organises the carnival.

Top attractions include performances by Flying Trapeze Australia, who not only deliver a heart-stopping show but also train youngsters in the art of trapeze and give them the chance to test their skills.

"The kids who have flown with the trapeze artists have had an experience of a lifetime and certainly demand for the opportunity is increasing," said Al Shaikh.

Other high points of the mega production, which runs at Adnec until August 15, include the 4D cinema in which people feel part of the action, the Lego Mindstorms sessions, when kids build their own robots and race them against each other on a track, the wakeboard training when youngsters get the chance to ride waves and Zorbowl when they have to climb inside a giant, transparent 'bowl' and steer it to the 'pins' destination.

Summer in Abu Dhabi runs at Adnec from 2 to 10pm Sunday to Thursday and from 2 to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Tickets are available at the door priced at Dh40 for adults and Dh30 for children under 12.

- More information is available on : www.summerinabudhabi.com or by calling the toll free number 8005555.