Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Away from the thrilling action happening on-track last weekend, the events off the tarmac were as equally spectacular as a plethora of acts and displays thrilled spectators in the vending area.
I’ve attended eight of the 13 Bahrain Grand Prix events, and I can easily attest that the entertainment package this year was, in my opinion, the best by far.
Although I spent most of my weekend in the paddock attempting to get up close and personal with the drivers, legends and celebrities, I invested time exploring other parts of the BIC too.
My favourite attraction was the dinosaur and ice age tent. This was utterly fantastic, from the moment you stepped in you walked along a bridge as a revolving display warped you back through time.
When you emerged at the other end, you were greeted by a ferocious Tyrannosaurus Rex animatronic, which almost made me do an about turn as it was so realistic!
All that was missing was the theme tune of Jurassic Park blaring out through the speakers. I spent a good half-an-hour or more admiring the Diplodocus, Triceratops, Woolly Mammoths and Sabre-Toothed Tigers, and reading the interesting information boards supplied.
Bypassing the hefty queue for the photo booth experience, it was with a heavy heart that I exited back into the modern day and left prehistoric times behind.
Another brilliant exhibit was the haunted house. Judging by the terrified faces that emerged from the exit, I had an idea what I was letting myself in for … and I knew even more so when a figure clad in a bloodied bridal gown sprung up in surprise in the line to get in.
Sadly, in my eagerness to sprint away from this petrifying proposal, the only direction I ran in was towards the entrance!
The house was horrifying, but fantastic at the same time. Every corner had some skeleton or ghostly figure jumping out, or a wooden window that slammed shut. By far the absolute worst room was one filled with hanging bodies wrapped in plastic sheeting that you had to push through to get by … I think I closed my eyes at one point and hoped for the best!
When I eventually emerged back into the light, I saw GulfWeekly photographer Honey Sharma and his friends giggling away, waiting their turn to step inside. The smile was wiped off of their faces afterwards, I can assure you!
For the younger children, the roaming street acts were in fine form as usual. These included the stilt walkers dressed in clown costumes, the circus train that snaked around the vending area featuring clowns, and the giant inflatable … yes, you guessed it, starring more clowns.
I feel sorry for any coulrophobes that attended and couldn’t enjoy their food and beverages in peace, but the Triumpho Company, in particular, deserve huge props for constantly wearing a smile and troupe-ing through the blistering hot weather.
Before I headed back to the paddock to fist-bump Hammy, I made my annual stop at the Gamezone (which was sadly much diminished this year for reasons unknown and needed visitors to spend BD15 in the retail section to get an entrance ticket) where I took part in a race on the F1 video game simulators. I did actually win my race although, whisper it quietly, I’d wager my oldest competitor was 10 years old …
My favourite performing act of the weekend was the Dancing Grannies and Editor Stan liked the athletic skipping rope dancers and the high divers. Fair play to these old ladies who were dressed in full costume and pranced around to popular hits like they were 50 years younger. They drew a really decent crowd near the stage too, and the ovation afterwards lasted for nearly as long as their routine. Well done, ladies!
Overall, this was a fantastic F1 year and it keeps going from strength-to-strength. There certainly seemed to be many more people in attendance from the naked eye, and everyone appeared to be having a great time.
It’ll be hard to top this overall package next year, but I have faith that the BIC can deliver once again.
