A selection of stars from the Summer in Abu Dhabi festival, the family entertainment blockbuster currently running at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), made a surprise and heartwarming visit to the UAE capital’s Sheikh Khalifa Medical City.
Scores of smiling children watched three clowns from the festival’s hilarious Clown Stunt Academy perform a side-splitting slapstick show, before Scrat, Sid and Manny from the Ice Age movies - the fourth installment of which is currently playing at cinemas across the nation – raised spirits by touring the hospital’s cancer ward.
“This visit has brought so much joy to the children,” said Dr Jeff Staples, Chief Executive Officer, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City “They are children first and patients second, so this is a great chance for them to experience some pure and simple fun. Laughing and joking around lets the kids forget about everything else that is going on in their lives and just be normal children for the day.”
With Summer in Abu Dhabi having welcomed more than 67,300 daily visitors in its opening three weeks, the hospital sojourn represented an opportunity to take the festival to children unable to visit ADNEC before it ends on July 19.
“We activate this visit yearly because it is an important pillar in the festival’s community outreach,” said Sultan Al Muhairi, Senior Events Executive, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), which presents the family extravaganza. “The festival brings so much joy to the local community, so it makes perfect sense to spread that joy to those most in need of a little laughter. We hope this visit sends the message that Summer in Abu Dhabi is for everyone.”
Summer in Abu Dhabi spans nearly 19,000m² across four jam-packed ADNEC halls and, in addition to Scrat, Sid and Manny’s Ice Age Village and the Clown Stunt Academy, the festival features a bigger-than-ever summer playground, fun fair rides and games, an amazing ‘Sea Lion Show’ and dozens of family-friendly activations.
In addition, Abu Dhabi Sports Council is hosting a range of activities and workshops as part of its Sport & Games Festival. Targeted at everyone from five to 35 years of age, sports include judo, basketball, soccer, table tennis, tennis, badminton and golf.
Summer in Abu Dhabi at ADNEC is open from 3pm – 9pm Sunday through Thursday and 2pm - 10pm Friday through Saturday, while entry is just AED 40 (US $11) for adults and AED 30 (US $8.5) for children under 12 years of age. Tickets can be bought at the door. Guests producing an Etihad Airways’ boarding pass with validity from May 15 – July 19 get a single entry free.
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City is owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA), which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.