More than 100 Emirati farmers will display their finest date produce and also citrus fruits at the third edition of the Liwa Ajman Date Festival, which will start tomorrow (July 27) in Ajman, UAE.

The event is being held under the patronage of HH Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the Union and Ruler of Ajman.

The festival will run until July 29, and will be held at the Emirates Hospitality Centre.

Additionally, prizes worth Dh400,000 ($108,898.3) will be up for grabs at this year’s festival, said a statement.

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, it said.

The 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 organisation in Ajman, it added.

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, said a statement.

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, it stated.

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, it said.

Saud Al Jasmi, head of Liwa Ajman Date Festival Committee, said: “Starting tomorrow the biggest display of the finest produce from the UAE’s date and fruit palms will kick off. 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,” he added.

The Liwa Ajman Date Festival is being organised by Ajman Tourism Development Department with the cooperation of Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee. - TradeArabia News Service