Orange Festival of Music and Adventure(OFAM) 2018 ended on a high note with a grand performance by Iron Maidens, in Dambuk. OFAM, the unique orange themed Adventure and Music festival held in Arunachal Pradesh, grew even bigger in 2018 with more than 10000+ tourists and 30000+ locals attending the festival. As compared to last year 18 bands, this year the festival was attended by 28 music bands, including international bands like Thundermother from Sweden and others.
The event was inaugurated by Honourable CM of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu where he mentioned that the festivals like OFAM, which he initiated during his tenure as tourism minister, aim to spur the growth in tourism in Arunachal Pradesh. He also mentioned that Tourism would be a game changer for Arunachal Pradesh and help the state to improve connectivity in the region. This would also benefit the locals economically.
Apart from enthralling music by 28 bands which performed on stage, crowds also witnessed the thrilling JKtyres 4X4 Fury, enjoyed adventure sports, organized in collaboration with NIMAS and the natural beauty of Dambuk. This year 25 Indian bands from all over the country and 3 International Bands from different parts of the globe made the crowds groove to their music. From local favourites Trance effect to Thundermother from Sweden, bands gave absorbing performances which kept the energy levels high through the evening. Rains battered the venue on occasion, but the crowds braved the weather conditions and made their presence felt.
The scenic lower Dibung valley was a perfect setting for adventure lovers to get their fill of adrenaline in this year’s OFAM. With mighty rivers like the Dirang and Brahmaputra flowing in close vicinity and rainforests covered east Himalayan ranges surrounding the vast orange orchards, adventure activities like zip lining, para gliding, para sailing, white water rafting, dirt cycling, speed boating and elephant rides were the popularly enjoyed activities at this festival.
With so many adventure activities, hungry crowds were treated to delicious food and fine music on the day and night stages. Food stalls by the locals served up local delicacies like orange pudding, Rice wine, variety of local beers, egg with ginger, farm fresh orange juice and all time favourite Momos to name a few. This unique one-of-a-kind orange themed festival also hosted an orange eating competition!! Stalls which showcased kiwi fruit and pineapple were also present in the OFAM.