UAE expands National Day fireworks programme

Abu Dhabi's fireworks programme for the U.A.E.'s 42nd National Day weekend has been expanded to make the celebrations more accessible for residents and visitors, with 11 shows at six sites now planned throughout the emirate. The expanded programme is part of a "mega-schedule" of National Day weekend activities planned for the whole emirate and designed to engage residents and visitors alike. Some 63,410 fireworks in total will now be let off in specially-designed shows commissioned by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) from Spanish fireworks specialist company, Pirotecnia Igual - the company behind this year's Rio de Janeiro Revellion show, which played to high media acclaim and was watched by a live audience of over two million with millions more watching on Brazilian TV. "The highly acclaimed pyrotechnics artist and director Angel Gonzalez, who was behind the Copacabana theatrical display, is designing this year's Abu Dhabi shows and has promised a breathtaking spectacle which will include Pirotecnia Igual's proprietary Kamuro and Willow Golden Palm creations," explained Jasem Al Darmaki, Deputy Director General, TCA Abu Dhabi. A 12-minute show will take place on Abu Dhabi Corniche on both 1st and 2nd December at 9pm. The Corniche will also come alive with a mammoth activity plan of entertainment and games to engage all families and nationalities, while the Emirates Heritage Club will mount additional attractions at its Corniche Breakwater Heritage Village, which will be open from 9am until 10pm on December 2nd. In addition to its usual attractions, there will be a traditional market and handicraft demonstrations of leatherwear, glassware and knife production. The club will also have a traditional rowing boat available to take up to 10 people at a time on a trip along the Corniche. The trips will be free and run every half hour from 4.30pm until 7pm. On December 2nd, at 8pm, a three-minute show will bring to a close the National Day parade celebrations on Yas Island. Three-minute shows will also be held on December 1st and 2nd at Khor Al Maqta - in front of the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Hotel, set off at 8.30pm. In Abu Dhabi's heritage heartland of Al Ain, 10 minute shows will run at 8.30pm on December 1st and 2nd at Hili Fun City, with entry to the park being free. "This will be a superb end to a day for those visiting the Al Ain Aerobatic Show which will run over the National Day weekend," explained Al Darmaki. In the emirate's western region of Al Gharbia, seven-minute shows will run at 8.30pm on December 1st and 2nd in Madinat Zayed and on Delma Island. The Al Ain Aerobatic Show, which takes place over the same weekend, kicks off at Al Ain International Airport from November 30th - December 2nd, and will have the Oasis City's biggest on-ground family entertainment extravaganza. Meanwhile on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi's entertainment district, December 2nd will see thousands of cars decorated in the colours of the U.A.E. national flag, gather to bid for entry in the Guinness World Records. The bid has been launched by TCA Abu Dhabi and The Life and Style Show U.A.E., the country's largest-ever consumer lifestyle show which runs at ADNEC from December 5th-7th. "The world record bid aims to harness national pride to set a record for the biggest number of decorated cars in one location," explained Al Darmaki. "We anticipate over 3,000 cars will take part with more than 300 featuring in the record bid. The parade route will start at du Forum and cover more than 3.5 kilometres. TCA Abu Dhabi has urged people to get to the site early to avoid traffic and parking issues.