Jakarta Fair to kick off on June 12

During the approaching school holidays, the 2008 Jakarta Fair is aiming to attract a record number of visitors, from June 12 to July 13 at the Jakarta Fairground in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

Jakarta Fair committee chairwoman Hartati Murdaya said here on Monday the event was expected to attract some three million visitors this year -- 500,000 more than last year.

The fair, commemorating the city's 481st anniversary, would open between 3.30 and 10 p.m., Monday to Thursday; 3.30 to 11 p.m., Friday; and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends. Entrance fees from Monday to Friday will be Rp 15,000 (US$1.6) and Rp 20,000 on weekends.

The fair would feature popular entertainers, and a replica of Borobudur temple which visitors can pose in front of -- as if they were at the original in Central Java.

To make getting to the fair easier, the committee and city administration have made arrangements to provide a shuttle service (using TransJakarta buses) from the National Monument (Monas) parking area in Central Jakarta, Jakarta Fair committee deputy chairman Slamet Supriadi said.

The buses, he said, would go from Monas to Jakarta Fairground via Gambir, past Istiqlal mosque and Jl. Juanda, before going to Jl. Garuda, Jl. Benyamin Sueb and stopping at the Gambir Expo shelter.

"The shuttle bus service is free of charge," he said.