Zamil, Acting Commander of Al-Janadriya Camp of the National Guard, said the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, the Hai'a, will be present during family days at the Heritage Village of the festival. “We sought their support,” he said, adding that the Hai'a has a “very important role.” Craftsmen started arriving Saturday at the Heritage Village and preparing for the festival's start on Wednesday, he said. Of the many craftsmen participating, some will be present at the folk market and others at regional pavilions. The festival management is the body covering the expenses of folk groups and craftsmen, including transportation and accommodation, he said. This year's event includes new pavilions for Makkah and the Eastern Province, and other new exhibitions, he added. Last year's experience of opening the event for families was successful so officials decided to do it again this year, he said. It is possible that the festival will be extended and that would be fine, said Al-Zamil. “We are ready to extend it if we get an order to do so, but we have not received instructions about that.” There has been extensive preparation to facilitate the elderly, the disabled and people of special needs, he said. It includes several means for their transport, an increase in the number of chairs designated for them from 70 to 130 and parking spaces near folk market and pavilions. “Electric power is provided by generators to feed the whole area and we hope that next year, the power will be provided by the power network,” he said.
