The organizers did an excellent job.
Kids were always free, but adults would have been 10 AED ($3) each... really affordable. However, I didn't even have to pay that as we had received free entry tickets via a local magazine that also included free parking in a covered carpark.
Sweet! VIP status already!!
The staff was really helpful & there was a "women's only" entry that allowed us to zip through security & skip the long lines. Within 10 minutes of parking, we were standing on the convention floor.
This is no small event & I had pre-scouted the offerings. Every kid (including me) would have something of interest to do or see.
The red section is all about weaponry... old world & new. You have to go through separate security but once inside you can pretty much handle anything offered.
These were old world guns with a historical display. The kids could have held them, but they didn't. There were lots of modern weaponry too, but we didn't really look too closely. Afterall, Lindsey wasn't with us; no need to rub it in...
The light blue section is all terrain vehicles, the latest in camping gear, & well, the flashier cars.
It was all here... From massive 5th wheels to the latest in roof-top safari adventure!
The dark blue section was all about hunting equipment & outfitters. Mixed in, were several big game hunting "lodges" offering week-long to month-long packages in places like Africa. There were also "sporting resorts" who cater to the more extreme ends of paintball, rifling, water sports, horseback riding, etc. ... while still promising 5 star accommodation & dining within it's compound.
The light green & orange sections dealt with everything related to falconry. There were tons of falcons on hand (literally!) I couldn't count the number of men & boys walking the showroom floor with birds on their padded gloves. They were everywhere! No surprise, the Falcon Center was at the center of it all.
Nearby, they had two men who would let you hold & pet them!
As a nod to all my fellow pet lovers... The local animal shelter had a huge booth full of dogs & cats looking for forever homes. It was probably one of my kids favorite stops.
There was much begging (look at those faces!!)... but I was able to resist! You will be happy to know that we saw several pets get adopted throughout the day.
The dark green & brown sections were all about the Arabian horses...
... and the desert dog native to this region, the Saluki.
We watched part of the dog show, but the kids got easily bored.
The gold section was a kind of heritage village. You could learn how to tie nets...
... Step back in time on a handmade boat...
(Seriously! They had the whole boat in there.. Complete with mast & sails!!)
... And learn about how old world weapons were fashioned by hand!
The last section (in purple) was an arena where various events took place throughout the day. We watched part of the dog show, & came back for the parrot show hosted by Al Ain Zoo.
There was supposed to be a cultural dance demonstration just after the parrots, but it must have been cancelled. We waited 30 minutes (with a lot of other folks) but all we got to see was the workers building the dais for the camel auction.
I couldn't get the kids to stay for the camels. <sigh>
All in all, it was a good FULL day. Of course, no outting of this kind is ever successful (in kid eyes) unless the junk food is awesome...
But even there, the expo didn't disappoint. Gelato, sweet & savory crepes, American hotdogs, and Chipstix!
(Just to name a few...)
This is a definite must if you are every in town at the right time!!!
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