The annual Sarikei Pineapple and Fruits Festival will take place from Nov 22 to Dec 1, with some 100,000 visitors targeted over the 10 days.

Urban Development and Resources Assistant Minister Datu Len Talif Salleh said this year’s edition will have 201 stalls, with six components featured – products and services, entrepreneurship and business, education, competitions, culture and entertainment, and sports and recreation.

Different nights are allocated to display different cultures of the various ethnic groups here, as well as other activities like Sarikei Kitchen where local food will be showcased.

He explained that the event is an approach by the Sarawak government to continue promoting Sarikei as the state’s ‘food basket’, by improving the economy in Sarikei and the surrounding areas in the Rajang basin including Saratok, Betong, Tanjung Manis.

He said the event is the “finale of fruits festivals” in the central region, following Pesta Limau in Bintangor, Fruits Fest in Pakan, and Pepper Fest in Julau, adding the Sarikei Pineapple and Fruits Festival will serve to complement the larger Sarawak Agrofest event being held here at the same time.

He added that the Pineapple and Fruits Festival allows people in the central region to enjoy the experience and opportunities as people in Sarikei might not have the chance to visit Kuching (for Sarawak Agrofest).