Halabja expects 300,000 visitors for pomegranate festival

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Organizers are hoping 300,000 people will visit Halabja at the end of this month for the annual pomegranate festival.

 

The three-day event, held at Halabja's central park starting on October 30, will feature a variety of pomegranates and locally produced honey, vinegar, and dried fruit from more than 500 farmers, according to Hawraman Jalal, media officer of the Halabja tourism department.

 

Halabja is known for producing the finest pomegranates in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. 

 

"The preparations are ongoing," Jalal said, adding that over 550 vendor spots have already been reserved.

 

About half of those will be selling food.

 

A total of "250 booths and vendor spots will be dedicated for pomegranates, other autumn products, dairy products, honey, and dried food products - all domestic," Arsalan Abid, a member of the festival's organizing committee, told Rudaw.

 

"All other domestic products and handicrafts will be displayed at the festival," he added.

 

Last year, more than 285,000 people visited the festival and Abid said this year they are expecting more than 300,000 guests.