LKSA Carnival

I had the opportunity to work on a big scale project recently thanks to Tangerine Advertising. They requested that we supply entertainers and game stalls for the LKSA Carnival held on 15 May 2010. Planning started 3 months before the event and it only got more exciting as the day got closer.


What made this carnival so unique was that it was to be held on a totally new highway in Shah Alam. Construction was still going as we went there for our set up the day before the event. Trucks were still going in and out of the area as they rushed to complete as much of the highway as possible before the 18 May 2010 deadline (the official opening of the Sri Muda and Alam Impian Toll Plazas)


As some suppliers came later than the stipulated time, they had to work in the dark as some of the highway lamp posts were not functioning yet. (Pix below: The incomplete highway littered with pebbles, a vehicle used to sweep away the debris and a worker laying out the Soccer court lit only by car headlights)
I can safely say that the highway looked decent enough the next day when we arrived. Canopies were filled with game & food stalls and areas for feet massages, face painting, sand art and digital games. There was a petting zoo, Drift Showcase, Didgeridoo and Fire Performance and appearances by local artists to entertain the crowd. People were seen happily playing at game stalls and eating free candy floss. All activities offered were free except for a special photography booth. Food and drink were sold at reasonable prices and items included nasi briyani to sliced guava.


The only visible hiccup was the lack of directions to the venue. The only indications that there was a carnival held there were the buntings on lamp posts leading to the area. The Plaza Tol Sri Muda signage was absent despite the map showing that that was the road to take. The entrance which we were supposed to use was closed and the Alam Impian route seemed to be the only other alternative though people couldn't be sure as there was no one around to give them proper directions. Some guides gave conflicting directions causing more confusion.


Despite that, the crowd started growing after 10am and we estimate that about 3,000 people turned up. Planet Football successfully recruited 160 teams to play in their "3 on 3" soccer challenge which ended at 10.30pm that night as many teams arrived late. Cash prizes of about RM10,000 was given out to winning teams in various categories.