Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
The kingdom’s popular outdoor waterpark opened its doors over the weekend with plans to make a big splash with families this season by celebrating the island’s diverse communities with a series of festivities and events.
The 77,000sqm Lost Paradise of Dilmun Waterpark (LPOD) launched its 12th season with a vibrant Pinoy Colour Festival, supported by the Filipino community group called Filcom in Bahrain, starring a variety of dance performances and other fun-family filled activities, including an incredible bubble-blowing duo.
The event was inaugurated last Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony conducted by Philippine ambassador Alfonso A. Ver, LPOD executives headed by Dr Essa Faqeeh, CEO of Al Areen Investment.
Despite some inclement weather, park guests were determined to have fun and enjoy the park rides and activities.
“We are very excited about the opening this year,” Essa told GulfWeekly. “This year we are focusing on families and the different communities here.
“We have carried out many changes to the park’s look and feel and will be introducing a series of programmes to keep families fully entertained. Our food offerings have been upgraded and we have added more outlets to meet the demand and will include a ‘healthy kiosk’ option.
“We also have 20 rides and a lot of activities to make sure there is a lot of entertainment and fun for the entire family. After all, this is considered one of the biggest and best water parks in the GCC.”
As well as families in Bahrain, LPOD is particularly popular with visitors from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE and the aim is to attract even more this season. From March to the end of November the water park regularly attracts around 170,000-plus families.
“We also want to celebrate the different cultures and communities in Bahrain by making sure we stage something that satisfies everyone,” added Essa. “That’s why we kick started the season with the Colour Festival!”
After the formal ceremonies were conducted, visitors were delighted by the bubble show and an indoor instrumentalist performing at the park’s Retail Souq. There were also Sufi dancers swaying on stage and a special drum beats performance by talented members of Filcom.
A Battle of the Champions talent competition was also staged as part of the merriments with New Age Fuzion taking the honours with a superb singing and dancing performance on the beach stage
“The Filipino community usually holds events in partnership with LPOD waterpark,” said one happy guest, Annette Avila. “We’re glad to be a part of this year’s opening events.”
A Sand Mania event was staged last Saturday.
Next up is a Car Show boasting vintage beasts and a DJ will be spinning the decks this coming Friday.
A ‘Splish-Splash’ water game event will be held on Saturday and there will be a Floaters Paradise on March 15 followed by a Clown Show on March 16.
The park will also play host to another major community cultural event this month for the Indian diaspora. The annual vibrant Holi Hindu Festival of Colours on March 22 will mark the arrival of spring. Several shades of coloured powder will be thrown up in the air in usual style at fellow festival-goers.
A Treasure Hunt will commence on March 23. And, talking of treasure, visitors will also be eligible to enter a raffle draw to win a piece of gold weighing almost 100gm.
Every month will also feature a different fun theme. “March is colour-themed and in April we are planning a safari feel,” said Essa.
There are plans to fly in a band from Africa to stage a fireworks and acrobatic show on March 29 and 30 to promote the April sessions.
On April 4 the popular Ladies Night event will return once again. Every Thursday the park will be closed from 6pm to midnight for only women guests to enjoy all the rides. There will be female-only lifeguards, DJs and security on hand to offer absolute privacy and security.
The first dozen visitors that entered the park also walked away with single season passes to enjoy the facilities for the rest of the year, to mark the park’s 12th anniversary. The winners are Kumail Shaker, Mohammed Alhaddad, Yahya Karsm, Abdulaziz Hisham, Hesham Ebrahim, Nawaf Mohammed, Hussam Mohammed, Sikandar Ali, Muhammad Adeel, Khalil Amanat, Foyzia and Lean.
