DUBAI // The inescapable concertina-shaped mascot of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) was back in shopping centres this weekend to mark the start of the three-month festival.
Modhesh posed with children in Mall of the Emirates and his likeness popped up on street corners for the Summer in Dubai campaign. As part of the campaign, Dubai Summer Surprises discount retail festival will run until July 7 and Modhesh World will open on June 20.
Yesterday at Mall of the Emirates, shoppers were entertained by Xtreme Festival, an international circus act with stilt-walkers, jugglers, trampolinists and acrobats.
"Usually this time of year we would be vacationing outside the UAE," said Marwan Abdulla, 20, an Emirati who was enjoying DSS at Dubai Festival City.
"But this year because Ramadan will be in the middle of the summer holidays we are going to wait till after Eid to travel. So it's nice to have some activities to keep us company in the meantime. It's like we are on holiday at home."
Hameed Mohammed Iqbal, 35, a Pakistani IT specialist and father of two, said DSS was a great way to keep the children entertained during the holidays.
"We don't get as much time off as the children do, so it's always a joy to have DSS events for them to enjoy the summer holiday," he said. "It used to be that there was nothing happening in the summer - it was always too hot for activities and most people would be travelling to cooler climates. Summer Surprises was a great idea for the families who couldn't get away."
A number of concerts will also be held as part of DSS.
These will include Dubai Rock Festival, Bollywood concert Taal, Elvis Forever - a tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll - and the British version of the improvised comedy show Whose Line is it Anyway?
For the children, DSS has arranged in-store appearances by Bananas in Pyjamas, City of Friends, Garfield and The Smurfs.
Last year's DSS attracted 4.36million visitors, who spent Dh12.3billion on retail, travel and hospitality.
The festival is organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing.
Summer in Dubai will also include the Ramadan in Dubai and Eid in Dubai festivals, ensuring a continuous line-up of events over the next three months.
