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Thousands of shoppers flocked to Bahrain Noor El Ain’s Garden Bazaar on Saturday to fill their bags with fresh farm produce and enjoy the entertainment lined up for families.
The regular Budaiya farmers market was given a splash of colour in more ways than one with a host of activities added to the attraction under the successful shopping festival banner.
According to organisers, the event exceeded all expectations with 21,000 visitors taking in the sights, participating in the community art wall and stone story wall, feasting at the live cooking demonstrations and learning more about the delights of locally grown products.
May Al Khalifa, a representative of the Bahrain Noor El Ain Festival Bazaar’s organising committee, said: “We’re delighted. It’s been an overwhelming success. The live cooking demonstrations and nutritionists’ talks were also well received by the public.”
The ‘powerful local support’ to the nation’s farmers and fisherman is paving the way for Bahrain Noor El Ain’s next initiative entitled: the Farmers’ Collaborative, which will take place this coming Saturday.
“This initiative aims at implementing international standards of Fair Trade practices in Bahrain by providing a forum for local small producers and bulk buyers for hotels and restaurants,” she explained. “Such events capture the true spirit of Bahrain and what Bahrain Noor El Ain Festival strives to achieve.”
Saturday’s bazaar started with live cooking demonstrations by some of the kingdom’s top chefs, nutritionists and fitness gurus close to the botanical garden’s lake. A live feed showcased the chef slicing and dicing on a large screen placed in the Farmer’s Market’s food arena for those that could not attend the actual demonstration.
Chefs were witnessed cooking up a storm using the items on hand at the market and nutritionists helped raise awareness on how to achieve a healthier lifestyle. The chefs handed out samples of their fare too.
The chefs weren’t the only ones enjoying the kingdom’s juicy crops as shoppers loaded trollies full of the freshest greens; vegetables as well as a variety of seafood. Some stalls even sold out.
The outdoor kitchen, featuring a variety of cafeterias serving up traditional fare, attracted long lines of hungry visitors as soon as the market opened for business.
The art attractions were also popular with families as was the petting zoo. Children enjoyed pony rides throughout the day too.
According to shopper Tamara Suleiman, 27, a marketing and fashion buyer, from Seef, it was a memorable occasion. She said: “The place was packed and it was a great day! The market was a fresh experience especially for me, especially seeing local Bahraini organic vegetables that I didn’t even know existed such as the purple cauliflower and whitish, purple sweet peppers. Another great thing was that you could also buy baby plants to grow in your own garden such as strawberries, lemon and celery.”
The Bahrain Noor El Ain celebration ends on February 16. For details on the nationwide festival, visit www.bahrainnoorelain.com, or follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @bahnoorelain.
