Spectacular parade launches Saudi capital’s entertainment festival
Riyadh Season gets underway with 1,500 folklore dancers and a Harley-Davidson custom motorcycle display
Saudi entertainment chief Turki AlSheikh urged the crowd to “imagine,” but they didn’t have to — as flying drones filled the sky in the shape of the words “Welcome to Riyadh Season” in several languages.
The Middle East’s largest entertainment festival got underway on Wednesday evening in spectacular fashion, with a parade including more than 1,500 costumed participants performing the traditional Samri folkloric dance, a Harley-Davidson custom motorcycle display, fireworks, and a concert by the Cuban-American rap star Pitbull.
The event was staged near the extended Boulevard zone and broadcast live, with nearly 3,000 drones capturing every moment. Tickets had sold out within one
hour of going on sale.
Viewers in New York, London, Newcastle, Dubai, Kuwait, and Doha were among those watching the opening ceremony.
Spectator Reem Abdullah, who works in business development, came with friends for the opening ceremony and expressed her excitement and joy.
“I’m looking forward to the parade, mostly the fireworks. I also heard that there’s going to be Pitbull, very much looking forward to that because I know most of his music,” she told Arab News.
“My favorite zone in the season is Winter Wonderland. I love winter festivals, I love the weather, the design, and the décor, it’s really magical.”
Ema Muradavic from Montenegro and her husband Yasin Ghali from Syria were impressed by the organization. “It looks like the event is going to be spectacular tonight, it looks like it’s going to be fun … it looks awesome,” Muradavic said.
Ghali was most excited about the car shows planned this year. “I’m excited to see the McLarens, the Audis and Ferraris in one place,” he said.