RIYADH — Saudi Arabia will mark its National Day with a series of air, naval and ground displays across the Kingdom, alongside fireworks in nine cities, the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) announced.
The celebrations, organized by the GEA in cooperation with several government and private-sector entities, began in Jeddah on Friday with an airshow that will continue through Sunday, Sept. 20.
The Jeddah airshow features the Ministry of Defense, represented by the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Saudi Falcons aerobatic team, alongside a Saudia Boeing 787-9 and a flyadeal Airbus A320neo.
In Riyadh, the main National Day show will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 22-23, beginning at 4 p.m. and broadcast live on Saudi television. Gates will open to the public at 2 p.m.
The Royal Guard will participate with an honor guard procession accompanied by a military band performing the Saudi national anthem. The Ministry of National Guard will take part with helicopter formations and its musical band, while the Presidency of State Security will be represented by Security Aviation, which will lead the aerial display with a helicopter carrying the Saudi flag.
Riyadh Air will participate with a Boeing 787, while the Royal Saudi Land Forces, Border Guard and Aviation Club will have dedicated pavilions at the event area in Malham.
Jeddah will also host naval displays by the Royal Saudi Naval Forces involving several vessels along the Red Sea coast.
The General Directorate of Border Guard will stage events in several locations, including land and maritime parades at ROSHN Waterfront in Jeddah, a land parade on the Yanbu Corniche and a maritime display at Sharm Yanbu.
Abha will host vehicle and marching parades on Art Street, while Al-Birk will stage a marching parade and a maritime display featuring Border Guard boats along its waterfront.
Celebrations will extend to the Eastern Province, where Al-Khobar Waterfront will host airshows on Sept. 26 and 27 at 4:30 p.m., featuring military aircraft alongside the first-ever participation of Aloula Aviation.
Fireworks will light up the skies at 9 p.m. on Sept. 23 in nine cities: Riyadh, Al-Khobar, Madinah, Jeddah, Hail, Arar, Al-Baha, Tabuk and Buraidah.
Source: Saudi Gazette