Fireworks at the Corniche signal the opening of the 24-day Jeddah summer festival on Thursday. (SPA)

The annual Jeddah summer festival “Jeddah Ghair 35” kicked off Thursday night at Al-Hamra beach on South Corniche.

Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed, who is also chairman of the Tourist Development Council, inaugurated the 24-day festival in the presence of Abdulaziz Khoja, minister of culture and information, businessmen, various government officials and over 3,000 people.

The spectators were treated to a laser show and artistic presentation. National dance and songs were presented by artists of national and international repute and the attendees witnessed brilliant fireworks, the centerpiece of the festival opening.

Addressing the youth, Prince Mishaal said that he represents them and will always support them.

He also praised the efforts of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the organizing committees of the festival for staging the historical event.

Jeddah is different from other parts of the Kingdom as it receives a large number of international and local tourists all year round. This summer festival will enhance domestic tourism and give people a chance to enjoy the festivities once again as they have done for the past 35 years.

Mazen Batterjee, vice president of JCCI, said that this annual festival with hundreds of activities in different parts of the city, the Corniche, outskirts of the city for families, youth and children over 24 days will make it the biggest summer festival in the region.

Batterjee said that the JCCI and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) are working hard to promote domestic tourism and attract a large number of visitors to Jeddah. This year, the Jeddah summer festival is aiming to attract over 3 million visitors.

Batterjee also said that the organizers have made a strategic plan to enhance the festival’s development.

This year, the festival’s grand prize will be cars, cash prizes and other awards, family entertainment programs, games, theater and literary nights and sports activities. The people of Jeddah will witness fireworks twice a week on the North and South Corniche where the sky will come alive with almost 25,300 fireworks.

Jeddah Ghair has been organized jointly by the JCCI and SCTA every year since 1998.

“We are keen to promote domestic tourism in Jeddah but we want to extend the experience to other Gulf countries keeping in mind the different cultures,” said Batterjee.

The Jeddah Corniche, leading commercial centers, malls, parks, public squares, and tourist sites will be the main venues for the entertainment.