Strawberry Festival launch set March 18

By Lito Dar

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, - - Barely two weeks after the month-long Baguio Flower Festival closed, it's the turn of this capital town to welcome visitors and residents to the celebration of ‘Strawberry Festival 2012’.

La Trinidad officials headed by Mayor Greg Abalos in a media forum last week 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 will be held today (March 18.)

The day will open with a civic parade, ecumenical service and a launching program.

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

On opening day will be the traditional owik tan tayao ritual involving butchering native pigs for thanksgiving. Abalos said they invited regional police director Benjamin Magalong to be the keynote speaker.

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

In lieu of fireworks, there will also be a lantern parade, wherein strawberry inspired lanterns will be flown in the afternoon skies.

According to Abalos, the municipality will not be replicating the largest strawberry shortcake it made year s 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).

Two other Family Days will also be showcased at the Strawberry Lane, March 24 and 25, for a day full of fun, games and entertainment for the entire family 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 will also run from March 10 to April 15 at the LaTrinidad public market parking area in Km. 5, wherein they expect to generate around P2.9 million.