The Islamabad-based diplomatic community seemed to have shrugged off fears and apprehensions about their security and visited the exhibition in good numbers. Even some Americans were seen roaming around.
After last year’s experience, the people of the twin-cities were eager to flock to the vast exhibition areas and sprawling lawns of the Convention Centre to be part of the second “All About Lifestyles Exhibition”, organized by the Dawn Group of Newspapers, which began on Saturday.
The whole area, thronged by excited and enthusiastic groups of people, window-shopping at different stalls and pavilions, gave a vibrant feel and lively environment, especially for the youth.
It was one of those very few and far-between opportunities which come the way of the people of this otherwise dull and monotonous federal capital. People, who turned up at the exhibition site, were enjoying every moment despite a chilly evening.
The organizers seemed pleased as they felt that they had provided an opportunity to the people of the twin cities of Islamabad-Rawalpindi ‘to live with style, see and adopt life with style and fashion in its different manifestations and modes’.
“We believe that through this exhibition we have brought a nice and refreshing change to those thirsty for entertainment and looking forward for an exciting day out with their families and friends,” said one of the organizers.
A visit to the exhibition showed that besides providing option for people and organizations to promote and project their ideas and products, the visitors appreciated all the entertainment and excitement the exhibition had to offer under a single roof.
Over 100 exhibitors had displayed their new and innovative products attracting quality and health conscious clientele. The products ranged from consumer and food items to commercial products, classic cars and fire works.
“This was an amazing and a unique event. The weather was cooperative. Everybody had a great time. It was a great chance to see people out with their families which makes me feel normal”, said Patrick Comey, an American citizen on the opening day.
Huma and Nazia, both working ladies, believed, “Dawn Lifestyles exhibition had awaken the dead environment of Islamabad. All under one roof, its an exciting and entertaining experience. The weekend was a perfect day to get the working people spend quality time with their families and friends”.
“There is everything for everybody. Balloon rides, projectors, live coverage, food and electronics. You name it and the exhibition has it”, said a group of teens having a good time in the video games pavilion.
Besides live performance by an underground band, the exhibition included theatric performances and recitation of poems by students of a private college. The members of a poetic society said the exhibition was a wonderful opportunity for the young upcoming poets to expose people to their deep poetry.
The best part for the kids was the area where there were huge balloons and other playing facilities created especially for them.
The fireworks on Saturday, which lit the skies over Islamabad for a brief period, seemed to be the show for which everybody present at the exhibition were waiting for.
There was too much to see and enjoy for almost everybody who stepped in the exhibition area. Be it the love for old cars, passion for IT, craze for good breed of dogs, an urge to watch some good paintings or calligraphy, curiosity as to what is ‘in’ when it comes to domestic settings or a wish to douse the culinary cravings or simply a desire to be part of a crowd and watch.
There was a big rush of people on Sunday and the stalls were swarmed by the visitors in every pavilion throughout the day.
The entertainment-starved people of the twin cities of Rawalpindi-Islamabad started pouring in the exhibition from the morning and an incessant flow continued till late in the evening.
Many had brought their children in a hope for a repeat of first day’s fireworks display but were disappointed as the activity was arranged only for the opening of the exhibition on Saturday.
There was enough to watch and be amused even if one was not interested in buying anything from the well decorated stalls. For the children it was excitement all round and they seemed to be pulling the elders in all the directions. The hot-air balloon and the inflated castle and other such playing facilities were fascinating the young ones. Especially a ride in the casket of hot-air balloon was something the children were after.
The big companies were out to lure customers, offering attractive packages and incentives on their products and services which many found irresistible. The IT pavilion was swarmed by young students, and with their curiosity aroused they were trying to make the best out of the deals offered to them at the exhibition.
A number of known personalities were spotted in the exhibition area where the paintings by a number of well-known and many upcoming artists were displayed along side calligraphy work by renowned calligraphists.
At the dog show the people had brought their prized breeds like Labradors, Poodles, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Dacshands, Great Danes and Pekingeres and those with interest in this field had a good opportunity to put their pets to tests as well as meet each other.
The food pavilion, as was expected, remained crowded without a break.