Strawberry Festival entertainment on

By Lito Dar

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, - - The Strawberry Festival here is on with Family Days showcased at the Strawberry Lane yesterday (March 24) until today for a day full of fun, games and entertainment for families to enjoy.

There will also be the strawberry magic and acrobatic show which will be held at the Benguet State University morning of March 31.

Among other events which will run until April 14 are the traditional Strawberry Fest Mass Wedding, Search for Mr. and Ms. La Trinidad and the Breakfast at the Park: Duting Tan Dukto (Mar. 23 and March 31), which will feature Benguet’s Arabica Coffee.

The trade fair started March 10 and will run up to April 15 at the La Trinidad public market parking area in Km. 5, wherein these are expectrf to generate around P2.9 million.

La Trinidad officials headed by Mayor Greg Abalos in an earlier media forum said the Strawberry Festival will promote the town as the strawberry capital of the country.

In the forum, Abalos said traditional events of the festival will still be there with new events and festivities added.

“The strawberry is the symbol of this annual La Trinidad festival, as we will also showcase the other best products and culture of the municipality for the festivity,” he said.

The formal opening of the Strawberry Fest was held March 18 with a civic parade, ecumenical service and launching program.

Ribbon cutting of the barangay sgro-industrial fair and the Strawberry Lane featuring strawberries and by products at the municipal grounds were also held.

On opening day, the traditional owik tan tayao ritual involving butchering of native pigs for thanksgiving was held.

Also invited was the Panagbenga 2012 grand street dancing champion – performers of Kabayan, Benguet to highlight the opening activities.

Abalos said the municipality will not be replicating the largest strawberry shortcake it made years ago.

But for this 14th celebration of Strawberry Festival, they will be serving a 100 kg.-strawberry salad to the public during the Strawberry Farmers Generosity Day on March 31.

The Strawberry Festival in 2004 landed the municipality in the Guinness Book of World Record for producing the largest strawberry shortcake weighing 21,213.40 lb (9,622.23 kg).