Baguio launches 16th Panagbenga flower fest

LET A THOUSAND FLOWERS BLOOM – BAGUIO City officials and members of the Panagbenga executive committee headed by Mayor Mauricio Domogan, co-chairmen Anthony de Leon and Freddie Alquiros pose for posterity after the unveiling ceremony marking the launching of the 16th edition of Panagbenga at City Hall grounds last Nov. 15.— Bong Cayabyab

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY-- Foreign and domestic tourists have all the reasons to plan their visit to this mountain resort city during the 16th staging of the Panagbenga, popularly known as the Baguio Flower Festival, next year as organizers promised new innovations.

The month-long festivities will be held on Feb. 1 to March 6, 2011 with the theme “The Environment and Community In Harmony” to instill awareness among people importance of the state of the city’s scenic environment.

Highlights of the flower festival will be a culture-laden opening program that will feature the elimination round for the participants in the elementary and secondary levels of the street dancing competition, the famous market encounter featuring various floral arrangements and landscaping displays, the attractive fluvial and floral parade at the Burnham lake among others.

The major events, the grand street dancing parade and competition and the float parade will be held on Feb. 26 and 27, respectively.

On Feb. 28 to March 6, the whole stretch of Session Road, the city’s main thoroughfare, will be closed to vehicular traffic to pave the way for sidewalk cafes and display of floral souvenir items as well as convert the same into a promenade area.

Organizers also returned the traditional Pony Boys Day which will be held on March 2 whereby the pony boys at Wright Park will display their talents and skills with their horses which is a major tourist attraction in the country’s Summer Capital.