Saudi Gazette report The old classic cars, parked near the gates of the Seventh Klija Festival in Buraidah, have proven to be the biggest draw. Not only the distinctive age and the looks of the cars has attracted a large number of visitors and lovers of klija, (traditional dessert made of wheat dough and cinnamon, ginger, sugar, and cardamom fillings), Al-Watan daily reported but has triggered talk of the yore when the old Buraidah station would be the focus. Every single visitor of the festival could not help but notice the old beautiful vehicles and some even wanted to take a ride in one of them. And their nostalgia was fulfilled as some of the cars are still in good condition and are being used to ply people for small rounds and trip down memory lane. The visitors enjoyed riding vehicles, whose owner had turned them into taxicabs specifically for the festival. The vehicles also brought back memories of the old Buraidah passenger and goods station that was located at Al-Jardah Market, which was and continues to be the business center of Buraidah City. It was from this station that Buraidah camel and horse traders set off on business journeys 200 years ago and traveled in caravans to Iraq, Syria, Palestine, and Egypt for business purposes. Fadhl Al-Salhi, citizen, is the owner of the classic cars. “I have a fleet of old classic cars that I bought from the United States, the United Kingdom, and other parts of the world. I painted them and put in new upholstery to make them look this magnificent,” Al-Salhi said. Anyone who sees the cars loves them and cannot help but gape at them, he added. Everyone wants to take a picture with the cars, some even selfies, he added. Al-Salhi has enough classic cars that he can provide any festival being held in the Kingdom with several of these cars. Lately, newly-married couples have started to rent these cars to use them in the wedding procession, he said. Yousif Al-Salhi, one of the drivers of the classic vehicles, said he was surprised at the way members of the same family admired the classic car when they ride to visit the festival, held at King Khalid Civilized Center in Buraidah. “Everyone seems to be enjoying it and are on cloud nine. They feel as if they are VIPs and boast about it when photographers take pictures of them,” he said. The taxis will take them on a tour through Al-Khabeeb Street, which is busy, all the time with shoppers who browse around the shops of craftsmen. The tour is of half hour duration before the taxicab drops the visitors off at the festival. Some models date back to 1937 and 1939, Al-Salhi said, adding, that in the classic mix is a Ford model 1939, Dodge model 1937, Chevrolet model 1941, and Pontiac model 1959. All the vehicles are in a very good condition, he noted. Abdulrahman Al-Saeed, executive director of festival, said Klija taxicab is a new activity of the festival, which has so fare attracted over 30,000 since it was launched. The money spent by visitors will benefit over 260 productive families who offer various well-known Buraidah local dishes and food. The spring break has attracted more visitors to the festival from all over the Kingdom and the Gulf Region. The festival is managed by Saudis and has over 302 pavilions. Moreover, it has created temporary job opportunities for 98 percent of Saudis. It seeks to support productive families and provide them with opportunities to market their products, said Ahmad Al-Saqri, deputy executive director.
