Fatima Muhammad Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The Jeddah annual summer festival will kick off on June 5 and is expected to attract over a million visitors from the Kingdom and Gulf. Organizers said they would allocate SR2.5 million worth of prizes including 15 cars over the course of the 24-day event, to be held in 30 commercial malls. Adnan Mandoura, secretary-general of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the festival has taken into account the short period of time when schools break up until the start of Ramadan. There will be over 100 events, including the opening fireworks display at Nawrus Al-Ahlam. Mandoura said there would be sports competitions including beach soccer, football, boat rowing, skating and a strongest man event. Other highlights include the children's entertainment village, stand-up comedy, car decorating competition and art and theater activates for kids. The largest kabsa dish will also be cooked at the festival and is expected to be named a Guinness record. Other awareness events will also take place including lectures on how to overcome phobias, asthma, drugs and smoking as well as how to maintain women's health. Mandoura stated: “The festival comes to strengthen Jeddah's tourism reputation both locally and internationally.” He said information centers would be managed by disabled people for the second year in a row. “This important step comes as part of the JCCI's social responsibility program in cooperation with commercial centers.” Disabled people will be receiving visitors and tourists and distribute event brochures and maps. There are 10 information centers, two of which are at King Abdulaziz Airport while the rest are in commercial centers.
