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Organisers of this year’s Vodafone Hibiscus Festival expect to make around $250,000 from the week-long festival beginning this weekend despite the damp economy.
Organising committee chairman Dhansuk Lal Bhika said the committee was optimistic of at least 250,000 people turning up for the festival, which begins Friday night with the introduction and interview of the contestants on stage at Albert Park.
“The preparation for the festival is well under control and we are inviting people to come and enjoy the entertainment that the Hibiscus festival has to offer,” Bhika told FijiLive.
All the activities will be held at Albert Park for the convenience of people, he said.
The Fiji Arts Council has arranged a variety of entertainment programs this year such as performances by the Natokatoka dance group and Dance Fiji, the revival of the Adi Senikau pageant after a lapse of four years and a Chinese acrobatic team show.
“I am very thankful to the Fiji Arts Council for providing professional and quality programs,” said Bhika.
A medical team will be at Albert Park to check for HIV/AIDS, H1N1, blood pressure and other illnesses.
Bhika said all the stalls were sold out; there will be 15 flea market stalls and 49 amusement stalls.
“Some new machines have been brought in for the enjoyment of children and we will have the previous sizzlers, ferries wheel and other rides for adults as well,” he said.
“Despite the bad times, this is the first time in the history of the festival that the Hibiscus committee has got on board 82 contestants in this mother of all festivals.”
Tickets for shows will range from $3 to $5 while the Miss Senikau Pageant tickets are priced at $25.
The Hibiscus Festival starts this Friday, August 21, with a march on Saturday to mark its official launch.
It ends on Saturday the 29th of this month with the crowning of the Hibiscus Queen, King, Lady, Teen and Hibiscus Princess among other categories.
