Yes, the 2014 Yanbu Flower Festival has come and gone once again. This was the 8th annual festival and by far the biggest and brightest to date.
Last year we were unable to make it since we were on vacation, but this year, we made several trips to the 12 day festival. Along with thousands of visitors from all over the Kingdom, we enjoyed this even so much!
The festival is really a sort of garden show for the Kingdom, but there is so much for families including 2 kids play areas, a train that takes families through the displays, dancing and singing characters, face painting, food and of course flowers and plants. It's really something to see, especially given the desert setting here!
This year was extra special since Yanbu made it into the Guinness World Records with the World's largest flower carpet! It was beautiful! We took several pictures and Chuck was lucky enough to be invited to the opening ceremonies of the festival. It was for men only and by invitation only, so Abby and I were at home, however, he was there to see the presentation and the opening show, which he video taped for me!
Abby went to the festival on a field trip with her class and she learned about the many flowers and planting cycles. Of course they played in the play areas too, but she did learn something!
For a usually quiet town, these 12 days were fantastic for a family. We were able to get out and enjoy the weather and the scenery. We had a wonderful time and I have to say the Royal Commission Landscaping division did an outstanding job this year. They've set the bar high and next year's festival is supposed to be even larger with a carpet nearly double in size! I'm sincerely hoping that we're in Kingdom to enjoy it!
Yanbu Flower Festival 2014
Saudi Arabia Parsons Limited Employees and families as guests of Flower Festival