Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (Adnec) and Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) have revealed the details of the new, highly-anticipated “Summer in Abu Dhabi” family festival, highlighted by the introduction of the first four of seven unique indoor island themes.

Running from June 26 to August 18, 2008, the inaugural event will transform the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Abu Dhabi’s premier special events facility, into a 13,000-square-metre air-conditioned edutainment venue and this summer’s largest and most exciting family destination, said an official spokesman.

The eight-week spectacle will welcome visitors from Abu Dhabi and neighbouring emirates, making the UAE capital city the centre of memorable summer activities for 2008.

Organisers have exerted extra effort to balance the entertainment and educational elements of “Summer in Abu Dhabi”, as reflected by its first four unveiled themed segments, namely, the Discovery; Imagination; Adventure; and Fun Islands.

“Summer in Abu Dhabi will redefine national and regional summer events, it will harmonise interactive exhibitions, theatre productions, mini-shows, workshops, and extreme sports to provide a uniquely segregated environment offering interesting intellectual and social activities,” said head of ADTA Events section Faisal Al Sheikh.

This summer program has been designed by a team of international experts over the last 12 months to appeal to both the young and the old through an atmosphere of active and productive fun. These Islands are just a glimpse of even bigger things in store for the event’s patrons.

Discovery Island’s main attraction is the remarkable Robot Zoo, a 1,000-square-metre  interactive educational exhibition that will use animatronics to show how animals work.

The award-winning exhibition has toured more than 20 science centres in North America and Singapore and has been seen by more than four million visitors.

Other attractions are the Optical Illusion Gallery, which will feature exhibits that test the mind and skill and leave guests believing the impossible; and a fully interactive three-dimensional animated character called ‘Solar the Turtle’ who can talk, move, and express emotions.

Imagination Island will feature an inflatable cinema with a special beanbag seating area to watch episodes from the SpaceToons TV Channel. It will also include Woody, a fully-animated singing and storytelling tree with interactive animation controls who will deliver children’s stories in English and Arabic.

The Island will also showcase a unique UV puppet theatre never before seen in the UAE and a children’s theatre showcasing well-loved fairy tale characters round off the fantasy-inspired Island.

Adventure Island will be headlined by the 1,000-square-meter ‘Science of Spying’ interactive educational exhibition sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Police; where participants can explore the skills, abilities, and technologies used by real law enforcement agents.

The Island will also integrate a model racetrack with camera-equipped remote-controlled cars for up to four competing drivers on a specially designed fairway.

Other attractions include a laser beam maze and the Cinema Action interactive theatre, where guests will sit on motion-based saddles as they navigate the Caribbean; wild west; enchanted forest; and underwater adventure environments.

Finally, Fun Island will offer various traditional youth-oriented activities such as a bungee trampoline; river and train rides; an inflatable play centre; a cups-and-saucers ride; spill the milk, and ring and bucket tossing booths; dance machines; and popular video games.

Summer in Abu Dhabi is sponsored by Etisalat, the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and Capital Centre, and will be open from 12pm to 9pm daily. 

Adnec and the ADTA will reveal the contents of the th