Kuching Festival returns with youth-centric highlights this Aug

Borneo Post

29-05-2025

Wee (eighth right), Zaiedi (seventh right), Ruslan (fifth left), Tow (fourth left) and councillors in a group photo after the press conference.
KUCHING (May 29): Three new programmes will debut at this year's Kuching Festival to cater to evolving community interests, especially among the younger generation, said Datuk Wee Hong Seng.
The Kuching South mayor said they are the MBKS Mayor's Pickleball Championship, Cosplay Competition, and K-Pop Dance Cover Competition.
He said the inaugural pickleball championship will be held from Aug 2 to 3 at Picklepro Kuching, Tabuan Laru Family Club.
'This fast-growing sport will feature several categories: Women's Doubles Open, Men's Doubles Open, Mixed Doubles Open, and Veteran Men's Doubles Open,' he told a press conference at the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) building yesterday.
Attractive prizes, including cash, sports equipment, medals, trophies, and certificates await the winners.
Wee said to raise awareness of the sport, MBKS will also run a Community Pickleball Month throughout July.
'Activities will be held every Saturday morning from 9am to 11am at PicklePro Kuching, promoting better health and community bonding among Kuching South residents.
'There will be free coaching across four courts for anyone who wishes to learn how to play. Further details on the competition and coaching programme will be announced on our Facebook page,' he added.
Meanwhile, the Kuching Festival Cosplay Competition will take place on Aug 2 at the MBKS Theatre in Kuching Park.
'This will be a spectacular gathering of creativity, colour and costume, as participants transform into their favourite characters,' said Wee.
On Aug 3, the Kuching Festival K-Pop Dance Cover Competition will light up the same venue, bringing together high-energy dance crews from across the region.
The competition is open to participants from outside Sarawak.
Wee emphasised that the Kuching Festival remains a cherished annual tradition that brings the community together.
'It is more than just a series of events – it reflects who we are as a city: diverse in culture, rich in creativity, and united in our purpose to grow, connect, and thrive together.'
The festival will run from July 25 to Aug 17, and the ever-popular Kuching Festival Fair will take place nightly from 6pm to 11pm at Dewan Masyarakat MBKS.
This fair features three main attractions: the food fair with hundreds of stalls offering local and international delicacies; trade fair showcasing products and services from local entrepreneurs; and nightly entertainment featuring cultural shows, music, dance, and family-friendly performances.
Wee also announced the return of Kuching's Got Talent, which promises bigger prizes and more incredible local talent.
'This year also marks the 10th anniversary of our Kuching Zumba Fiesta, first introduced in 2015,' he added.
To mark the occasion, a record-breaking event is planned on Aug 2 from 7pm to 11pm at the Sarawak Hockey Stadium, with a target of 10,000 participants to break the Malaysia Book of Records for the largest Zumba participation.
Other festival highlights include the Garden Show, Mayor's Walk, Folk Dance Night, martial arts display, traditional music night, International Friendship Cities Night, fishing competition, Kuching Half Marathon, and Yuanji dance performance.
Also present at the press conference were Kuching South deputy mayor Dato Zaiedi Suhaili, MBKS councillors, and Kuching Pickleball Association president Ruslan Bujang and his deputy Alexander Tow Ah Lek.