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Tafadzwa Chibukwa, Sunday News Reporter
OPERATORS of the local favourite and most loved Luna Park yesterday had a busy day as people flocked to the amusement park in large numbers to enjoy an assortment of activities that are on offer.
Proprietors of the leisure centre confirmed that the place was fully packed.
Luna Park is the only one of its kind in Zimbabwe, moving locations every month. After several months away, it returned to Bulawayo for April, setting up at the corner of Masotsha Ndlovu Avenue and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street.
A local favourite since the 1970s, the Luna Park offers rides enjoyed by all ages, from children to adults.
It is mostly popular during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) period with its convenient location near the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEC) grounds for the convenience of those who would have visited the annual trade showcase.
Family Amusement Park managing director, Mr Witness Chihota, described to the Sunday News crew how packed and busy the Luna Park was on the last day of the trade showcase.He said the numbers were quite impressive considering that the same people who visited them had spent their day at the trade fair.
“I can assure you that we spent the day on our feet yesterday. There was no rest because of the large number of customers who needed to be attended to. We could not even take short breaks, one could have thought that the whole city had agreed to come and enjoy themselves at Luna Park.
“As always, the people of Bulawayo did not disappoint, whenever we come to Bulawayo we leave the city with smiles because of the support we get from its people. For this we will forever be grateful,” said Mr Chihota.
The Luna Parks’ new location, at the corner of Masotsha Ndlovu Avenue and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street, offers ample space for future expansion and activities.
Mr Chihota said the Luna Park will operate until schools open.
“Due to the busy trade fair weekend, we know that there are some that could not get the chance to visit the leisure centre as well as others that had travelled for the holidays and we will give them a chance. We can assure them that we are still available and will continue to operate so that everyone gets their opportunity to enjoy. We will be in Bulawayo till schools open,” he said.
He said this year’s Luna Park promised to deliver a thrilling experience for the whole family and it is living up to that promise.
Besides classic rides like the rockets, the Ferris wheel (big wheel), and bumper boats, the public is assured of more in store.
There are also exciting adventures on quad bikes and canoes, jumping castles, photo booths, horse rides as well as jet rides.
Bongani Ndlovu