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 The first Dubai Shopping Festival
(DSF) was held in 1996, from February 15 to March 28 with
the theme 'The Most Amazing Festival Ever for Families'. The raffle winners walked away with 43 Lexus GS300 cars plus 43 kilos of gold.
The second Dubai shopping Festival, held from March 27 to April 26 in 1997, had the theme 'The Most Spectacular Family Festival on Earth'. The winnings were enormous with 41 Lexus GS300's and 31 kilos of gold given away over 31 days.
The entertainment included international performers, nightly Aqua Fantasia and fireworks shows, and
much more. Shopping malls & streets attracted large number of visitors with sales and bargains.
The third Dubai Shopping Festival, held in 1998 from March 19 to April 18,
was a huge success. The theme was, Children of the World Meet in Dubai. Prizes included 31 Nissan Patrol Super Safari cars, 109 Lexus GS300s, 46 kilos of gold, and
more. Entertainment included a nightly Aqua Fantasia Show, the World's Biggest Children's Birthday Party, and Sesame Street Shows.
The usual street entertainment and spectacular nightly fireworks over the Dubai Creek were sensational.
Noted music performer Vanessa Mae performed at the opening ceremony and the International Children's Orchestra played at the closing ceremony.
The fourth DSF, from March 18 to April 14, 1999, with the theme
'The Family Get Together of the Millennium' attracted many. A Nissan Patrol Super Safari was raffled off every day and 38 kilos of gold were given away over 28 days. In keeping with the theme, events concentrated on family ties, caring, and integrity. Children enjoyed Popeye the Sailor shows, Dolphin shows, Magic Circus, and a nightly Aqua Fantasia show. There were also seminars, workshops and plays for families.
The fifth DSF in the year 2000 was held from March 1 to March 31,
with the theme, 'To Mother With Love'. Winnings included 31 Rolls Royce cars, 31 Nissan Patrol 4x4's, and 57 kilos of gold. The Guinness Book of World Records declared it as the largest ever shipment of Rolls Royce cars. Other world record breakers included the world's largest cradle, sofa, mattress, greeting card, crown, and more. Ideal Arab Mother and Ideal Arab Family competitions were held. Disney on Ice, The Smurfs show, Magic Circus, and over 200 street performers entertained the whole city. Dubai Shopping Festival attracted over 2.5 million people that year.
The sixth Dubai Shopping Festival in 2001, from March 1 to March 31
had the theme, 'One World, One Family, One Festival'. Raffle prizes were 31 Lexus GS-300 cars, 31 Lexus LX 470 4-wheel drives, 56 kilos of gold, and lots more. One prominent event was the Dubai Desert Classic with the best golfer in the world, Tiger Woods. Performers, like Adnan Sami, Asha Bhonsle, Fairouz, Googoosh, and Julia Boutros entertained crowds. The International Circus, Planet Pepsi, the Family Fun Fair, Dolphin and Crocodile shows, and Monster Trucks entertained children. The event attracted over 2.5 million visitors.
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