Jakarta Fair (Indonesian: Pekan Raya Jakarta or PRJ) is a fair held annually in Jakarta International Expo (JIE) Kemayoran, Jakarta, Indonesia, around June to July. It features exhibitions, trade promotions, shoppings, music performances, various shows, amusement rides, and food festival. The fair is meant to celebrate the anniversary of Jakarta city. The Jakarta Fair sees exhibitors from across the country display a whole range of goods and products ranging from speciality food items to traditional handmade arts and crafts. In addition to the many exhibitors, there is also live entertainment including music, dance and cultural performances.
History
The fair that incorporate trade exhibition and entertainment existed in Batavia (now Jakarta) during Dutch East Indies era. Originally the annual fair was took place in Koningsplein (now Merdeka square) in Weltevreden Batavia and it was called "Pasar Gambir". After Indonesian independence, the modern Jakarta Fair was held again for the first time in 1968 and inaugurated by president Suharto. The fair took place from 5 June to 20 July 1968 on southern part of Merdeka square near National Monument. The idea to held a grand fair in Jakarta was initiated by Jakarta's governor Ali Sadikin in 1967 that inspired by the colonial era Pasar Gambir. He sought a centralized grand fair to unify various "Pasar Malam" (night market) held in many places in the city. Since then it has become an annual event as part of the city's anniversary celebrations. The longest Jakarta Fair was held in 1969 that break the record of 71 days fair, usually Jakarta Fair only held for 30 to 35 days. USA president Richard Nixon is one of the VIP guest that visit Jakarta Fair 1969.
Because the number of participants has steadily grow, the fairground in southern park of Medan Merdeka square is considered not large enough to contain the grand fair. In 1992 the Jakarta fairground was moved to present location in Jakarta International Expo at Kemayoran. The exhibition complex stood on the former Kemayoran Airport.
In 2010, the transactions occurred in Jakarta Fair were Rp.3.5 trillion ($410 million) and in 2011 is targetted at least with same amount and is visited by 4 million visitors. The ticket price is Rp.15,000 ($1.8) in weekdays and Rp.20,000 ($2.4) in Saturday, Sunday and Holiday.
The similar fair called Pasar Malam Besar held in The Hague, Netherlands, also inspired by the "Pasar Malam" tradition of colonial era Pasar Gambir.
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