Every year, thousands of people flock to the Pesta site, drawn there by the bright lights, thrilling shows and good bargains at the Pesta Pulau Pinang. Penang State Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law estimated that 500,000 people would attend last month’s event.
The Pesta was the brainchild of the late Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu. It was first started in December 1970 at Esplanade as part of an effort to create a healthy environment for businesses; this was during a period of high unemployment, and the investment climate in Penang was not at its best, to put it mildly. The Pesta would showcase consumer goods and business items in a carnival-like environment during the holiday period.
