Mumbai’s Ballard Estate; A Truly Experiential Venue for Events & Activations

by Promotions Industry Watch | March 9, 2016 | Feature

The swish South Mumbai commercial nucleus known for its British lineage and architectural magnificence has created history of sorts by turning into an open-air event venue for the first time. Moreover, this venue is the actual streets of Mumbai with a stunning backdrop of heritage buildings - what better way to experience the maximum city in all its colonial glory.

The Mumbai Ballard Estate Festival, an initiative by The Mumbai Port Trust and produced by Ferriswheel Entertainment, has turned the street into a weekend destination for Mumbaikars. With a focal aspiration of being viewed as the largest lifestyle and cultural extravaganza ever witnessed by the city’s people, the fest is conducted on every Saturday and Sunday, from 2 pm- 11 pm. The nostalgic heritage backdrop exudes the feel of European colonial era. The modern mix is completed with pop up stalls for food/retail, a dedicated kids zone, a stage installed with lights and sound along with a console and a LED screen as the backdrop, electricity connections and much more.

In fact, this venue is also available as an on-ground activation space for companies and corporate bodies. Brands can now get their engagement activities right down to the street, accompanied by the look and feel of a festival. Recently, BMW used the activation spots at the venue to showcase their cars and received a great response. The high ended superbike showcase was a highlight too.

Apart from the major gourmet fiesta, the Ballard Festival also includes various interactive elements like musical concerts, movie promotions, exhibitions, performing arts showcase, contemporary art shows, free heritage walks, flea markets and a lot more. All required permissions and licenses have been acquired and factors like sanitation, pollution etc. has been specially taken care of.

The 4000 sq.mt of venue area has a capacity of 7000 floating crowd, 3000 standing in front of the stage, 250 seating in front of stage, and 80 Pop up Stalls (Food stalls only on induction). Set up, and Light & Sound details are as follows;

Stage Size	32’ x 24’ x 6’
LED Backdrop	24’ x 12’
General Lighting	Metal halides, LED Pars
Stage Lights	Sharpy, LED Par, Profile spots, Moving Heads, Blinders
Sound	Line Array – 6 tops per side (flying), Delay Sound, Stage Monitors, Mikes with stands (corded / cordless), Amplifiers, Consol, Tech Rider as per requirement
Permissions & Licenses	Police, Traffic Police, Fire, PPL, IPRS, BMC

For Hygiene & Sanitation, 16 dedicated housekeeping staff with 2 supervisors working in 2 shifts are provided to keep the place clean, with 20 portable toilets and 20 dustbins around the venue. For Security, 24 security guards with 3 supervisors working in 3 shifts are available, with 3 DFMD frames, Handheld Frisking machines, Ladies frisking cubicles, CCTV cameras monitoring the venue, and MOJO Barricading in and around the venue. 25 fire extinguishers with 25 sand buckets, fire-fighting engine on stand by with attendees, and an Ambulance on standby with a nurse is also available.

The Kids Zone features Burma Bridge, Small Trampolines, Swings, Inflatable Rock Climbing, Inflatable Slides,and Jenga Blocks. Other entertainment activities include Segway Rides, a Cricket Turf, BMX Stunt riders, B-Boying, Street Performers, Jugglers, Stilt Walkers, Street musicians by NSPA, and evening live performances by headliners like Sanam band, The Raghu Dixit Project, Raftaar, Indus Creed, Nucleya and many more.

*Festivals, Lifestyle, Sports, and Business... Click here for the full list of categories in Event Intellectual Properties at WOW Awards Asia 2016.

Here’s a round-up of what’s on offer at the swanky South Mumbai commercial nucleus known for its British lineage and architectural magnificence, opened the first time as an open-air venue.