The 'Wizard of Oz' characters interact with visitors at Al Montazah Parks.

Fun, frolic and laughter enlivened the festive atmosphere at Al Montazah Parks as 5,000 children and families — many dressed in full cartoon character costumes — joined to ring in the 40th anniversary celebrations of one of Sharjah’s most impressive leisure destinations.

With a daily roaming parade by ‘The Wizard of Oz’ characters, in addition to a stage show and a meet and greet with the characters post the show, Al Montazah Parks has proven once again why it is a much loved destination for family adventure in Sharjah as it marked its milestone anniversary under the theme ‘40 Years of Fun and the Legacy Continues’.

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Its state-of-the-art amusement park ‘Island of Legends’ was the centre stage of the celebrations. Another chief attraction here is the water park, ‘Pearls Kingdom’.

Celebrations peaked with stage shows and culminated with a dazzling display of fireworks.

Khalid Al Qaseer, General Manager of Al Montazah Parks, said: “It was exciting for us to see the happy faces of smiling children and their families as they enthusiastically participated in the activities and entertainment marking the celebrations. Al Montazah Parks is dedicated to providing wholesome fun through our engaging activities for every member of the family. As generations of families will attest, the Parks holds a special place in their hearts. We now look forward to creating more beautiful memories for our visitors in the years ahead.”

The festivities featured a daily costume party and giveaways for visitors. Celebrations peaked with stage shows and culminated with a dazzling display of fireworks.

Launched in 1979, this landmark destination has constantly transformed and upgraded its facilities and attractions to meet international safety standards while offering visitors a fantastic time.

An earlier report said: ‘The Wizard of Oz’s colourful cast of characters Dorothy Gale, The Wizard of Oz, the Tin Man, the Wicked Witch and many more would be descending on Al Montazah Parks in Sharjah from Monday, 21 October to Thursday, 31 October to mark the 40th anniversary celebrations of one of the UAE’s oldest and most-loved destinations for family adventure, Al Montazah Parks, under the theme “40 Years of Fun”. Celebrations will also include a daily costume party and giveaways for visitors.

The festivities featured a daily costume party and giveaways for visitors.

The 40th anniversary festivities will peak on Oct.25 which will include a magic show, and culminate with a dazzling display of fireworks at 9pm. Children under 12 years wearing full cartoon character costumes will enter the parks for free during the 10-day festival, and visitors who bring in old images of themselves at the parks will get a 40 per cent discount on entry tickets.

Khalid Al Qaseer adds: "For 40 years now, Al Montazah Parks has continually reinvented itself to emerge as one of Sharjah’s most impressive all-round leisure destinations. For generations of families and visitors, this place holds a special place in their hearts as it kindles fond memories of fun times together."

With the re-conceptualisation of Al Montazah Parks, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has further enhanced the emirate’s profile to visitors, he added. “With this first-of-its-kind water park and amusement park featuring ample attractions for both adults and children, we hope to bring Sharjah closer to its goal of attracting 10 million tourists by 2021.”

Launched in 1979, this landmark destination has over the course of four decades, constantly transformed and upgraded its facilities and attractions to meet international safety standards while offering visitors a fantastic time. In December 2018, Al Montazah Parks opened its doors to the public after completing extensive renovations and adding new state-of-the-art attractions — the amusement park, ‘Island of Legends,’ and the water park, ‘Pearls Kingdom’.

The 'Island of Legends' which boasts 26 attractions inspired by countries of the world such as Spain, Italy, France, London, China, and Netherlands will be the centre stage of the anniversary celebrations and will play host to a daily roaming parade with ‘The Wizard of Oz’ characters in addition to ‘The Wizard of Oz’ Stage Show and a Meet & Greet with the characters post the show.

Al Montazah Parks is centrally located close to Flag Island on Khalid lagoon, across the Central Souq.