KOZHIKODE: An artificial snow park, halwa festival, beach volleyball and bungee jumping would be among the attractions at the month-long Malabar Shopping Festival beginning in Kozhikode on December 20.

Though the event is scheduled to open on December 20, its formal inauguration would be only on December 22. The inaugural function has been put off, as the State machinery would be busy with President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's visit to Thrissur and a Cabinet meeting that is scheduled for the day after the President's visit, Mayor M. Bhaskaran said on Tuesday.

For children, a major attraction would be a 10-day-long magic show arranged by Magic World. The magic programmes will feature shows by Pradeep Hudino, Saneesh and Ratnakaran. Details about the magic programme for children can be had on telephone 98470 00102.

The event organisers announced on Tuesday that the shopping festival had evoked keen interest among Keralites in foreign countries. Many of them had come to know details of the event on www.malabarshopping

festival.com.

The beach volleyball tournaments for men and women will be held from January 11 to 17. Horse-riding, camel-riding and elephant-riding will be arranged in front of the Kozhikode Corporation office from December 20 till the end of the festival on January 20.

The visitors can also take a helicopter ride over the city.

However, for the organisers the biggest challenge is to make the trade fair attractive. Products that meet international standards, including the State's well-known handloom materials, would be among the attractions at the trade fair.

The snow park is being arranged at Apsara grounds from January 8 to 12.

The shopping festival is being held jointly by the State Government and the Kozhikode Corporation.

The other highlights include circus, magic theme park, exhibition of ornamental fish, cyber games, food festival, film festival and book fair. Prizes worth nearly Rs. 1 crore are being offered to merchants and customers.

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