ISLAMABAD, Dec 1: One of the most extravagant All About Lifestyles exposition arranged by Dawn Group of Newspapers unravelled its treasures at the Jinnah Convention Centre here on Saturday, embracing contemporary subsistence, with a melange of the still and the walking.

The expo is one of the leading shopping-cum-entertainment extravaganzas in the capital.

Showcasing technological and cultural developments as well as manufactured products, the expo brought buyers and sellers together in a highly charged atmosphere.

It was high excitement as the exposition opened its gates with the overcast conditions providing wonderful filtered light to complement the collection of beautiful paintings and photographs in the Gallery section outdoors.

By mid afternoon, the gentle warmth and bright December sunny sky created the perfect atmosphere for a good outdoor lunch.

Visitors strolled through stalls in the exhibition lawns, taking advantage of discounts and other exclusive offerings. Many received gifts from the exhibitors promoting their products.

Cannon, PEL, Ravi Motorcycles, Dalda and Tapal were among many stallholders under the tented exhibition area that also housed stalls of wooden and interior decorations and bathroom fittings.

Among other leading brand names were Nestle, Nesvita, Murree Brewery, Hamdard, Style and Comfort, Comsats, etc.

Modern luxury encompassed fine craftsmanship, simplistic shapes and hi-tech equipment inside the Convention Centre, where people wandered among tens of exhibits from around the country featuring everything from exotic foods to new perfumes to fantastic new technologies and home appliances.

As a visitor described it, “In a single day one could examine the much celebrated collections of artistic creations, check out furniture settings and vases from giant companies, and marvel at the stall of the big screen TVs. And then, if you are hungry, there is plenty of delicious food waiting for you in the food court.”

Spirits were high in the jumping castles as the expo offered a blend of activities for the young ones. Children had a blast, screaming and bouncing on jumping castles, while many in the Young World pavilion were in awe of the magic show, one of the newest attractions for children this year.

While it may have been packed with treasures and wonders from across the country the purpose of the exhibition wasn’t really to enrich the minds of the populace. Unsurprisingly, it was the same things that draw us to events nowadays, the chance to be entertained.

Popular music blasted through the speakers at the FM89 stall where energetic youth formed rings to perform bhangra on funkiest beats with the latest Indian number — Sohni De Nakhre — from comedy-hit Partner taking the lead.

Few yards away, it was a dog’s world but enjoyable. Perhaps the German Shepherd dog show was fun for the kids and the dogs but probably not for the handlers who ran in the ring round and round.

Providing a relaxing atmosphere, comfortable seating and a variety of food items completed the expo experience. People pampered their taste buds with delicious desi food at stalls set up by popular eateries like Zenos, Dacca Fish and Savour Foods. On the other hand, fast food outlets including Munchies sold burgers, roll parathas and drinks.

But one of the most missed attractions was the Classic Cars show. “I had come especially for the Retro Wheels show which unfortunately was cancelled because of the rain,” said classic cars lover Nasir Iqbal. Taimoor Shah, his friend, believed the expo was incomplete without its best attraction — the classic cars show.

Weather permitting, a bigger crowd is expected on the second of the expo on Sunday.