People enjoying the dropping of balloons during the opening of Qatar Toy Festival at the DECC.
Doha, Qatar: The first edition of the Qatar Toy Festival commenced yesterday at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), attracting an enthusiastic crowd of over 2,000 visitors.
The festival, organised by Qatar Tourism in collaboration with Spacetoon TV, offers a delightful experience for families and children alike. The event kicked off with a mesmerising dropping of balloons, marking the beginning of 24 days filled with excitement, joy, and endless entertainment.
As soon as visitors step foot inside the festival, they are greeted by a vibrant atmosphere reminiscent of a whimsical fairytale. Colourful, larger-than-life teddy bears in shades of blue, pink, yellow, red, and turquoise can be seen at DECC, while Nutcracker soldiers stand tall at the entrance of the festival, ready to receive visitors and transport them to a magical realm of childhood wonder.
Spacetoon TV spokesperson, Ahmad Weiss, told reporters that the first day of the festival had already seen an impressive turnout of over 2,000 attendees. Anticipating an even larger crowd, Weiss said they are expecting that over 50,000 people would visit the festival during the stretch of the event.
The festival’s allure lies in its ability to cater to all age groups. Weiss emphasised the vast variety of international brands available, with over 25 renowned names like Barney, Barbie, Bleepy, Angry Birds, Sonic, Transformers, and many more. Careful selection of these popular intellectual properties ensures a cultural and regional resonance with the children who adore them, he explained.
Today and tomorrow, July 14 and 15, visitors can look forward to the highly anticipated concert by Rasha Rizk, a Syrian singer-songwriter renowned for her contributions to the Syrian cartoon dubbing industry and her performances of Arabic theme songs for popular cartoons and anime. Weiss mentioned that both of Rizk’s concerts are already sold out, highlighting the immense demand for such captivating live performances.
In addition to the myriad of booths dedicated to different brands, the festival also features daily roaming shows and acts that captivate audiences. The presence of beloved mascots such as Red, Bomb, and Chuck from Angry Birds, JJ from Cocomelon, Amy from the Sonic the Hedgehog video game, and sunglasses emojis, among others add to the excitement. Among them, JJ from Cocomelon remains a clear favourite, with children joyfully embracing the character.
Visitors enjoying a live stage show. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
Weiss emphasised that the purpose of the festival is to create a space where families can come together, allowing parents to enjoy quality time with their children while witnessing their happiness and laughter.
The indoor venue offers controlled temperatures, shielding attendees from the scorching summer heat, he said.
Rhea, a mother from the Philippines attending the festival with her two kids aged 5 and 7, expressed her satisfaction with the event.
She praised the festival for providing a perfect summer outing, with the indoor setup ensuring a worry-free experience under the sun.
Rhea’s children were delighted to meet new friends and thoroughly enjoyed the engaging activities, prompting her to plan another visit this weekend.
Richard from Spain echoed Rhea’s sentiments, commending Qatar Tourism and Spacetoon TV for their remarkable initiative. Richard’s children, Raj and Hayley, shared their excitement about the festival, relishing the opportunity to meet and play with other kids. He particularly appreciated the festival’s convenient location, as it was near their residence.
Beyond the captivating activities, kids can also indulge in free face painting, explore various snack options, and witness live stage shows that run daily, adding an extra layer of enchantment to the festival experience.
The Qatar Toy Festival is segmented into four distinct areas, each aptly named an “island.”
Fancy Land caters to children aged 4 to 12, featuring beloved characters like Disney Princess, My Little Pony, Barbie, and Hayati Girl, along with a dedicated café. Champions Land, designed for ages 5 to 15, showcases brands such as Nerf, Marvel, Transformers, Beybattle Burst, Free Fire, Hot Wheels, and Fortnite. Cutie Pie, ideal for kids aged 2 to 6, offers attractions starring Blippi, Cocomelon, The Smurfs, and Bluey. Lastly, Hyper Land caters to ages 5 to 15 and boasts activities centered around popular brands like Scrabble, Race, Monopoly, Angry Birds, and Sonic the Hedgehog.
To attend the festival, visitors must purchase tickets, with various options available. The general ticket is priced at QR50, while the gold ticket costs QR100.
Families can take advantage of the QR400 family package, which grants entry to five individuals, while the VVIP ticket offers lounge access and is priced at QR1,500.
Under the theme ‘Live the Tales and Enjoy the Games,’ the Qatar Toy Festival will run until August 5 and is open on weekdays from 2pm to 10pm, and on weekends from 2pm to 11pm.
