LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The Strawberry Festival here gets underway on Monday, March 4.
The event kicks off with an ecumenical prayer and opening of Strawberry Lane at the municipal park.
A strawberry vegetable-salad making contest will be held at the King College of the Philippines at the same time.
On March 8, strawberry farmers will compete in the heaviest and sweetest strawberries contest at the municipal park.
The Strawberry Festival Executive Committee said highlights of the celebration – civic parade, program, and mini-cultural celebration – will be held on March 15.
The municipal government has asked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to declare March 15
a special holiday instead of March 18, Foundation Day, to enable residents and tourists to enjoy the festival.
A cultural street dancing and float parade will be held on March 16.
Mayor Romeo Salda said organizers continue to innovate Strawberry Festival activities to enable residents and visitors to have something new to see when they visit the occasion.
Other festival highlights are the Mr. and Miss La Trinidad pre-pageant on March 10 at the municipal gym, Strawberry Cake Festival on March 17, inter-barangay Battle of the Bands on March 22, Dongba by Kavajo on March 23, and crowning of Mr. and Miss La Trinidad at the Benguet State University Gymnasium here on March 24.
The closing program will be on March 26, along with the awarding ceremony for the winners of the festival contests.
The Strawberry Festival started in 1981 to showcase this town’s premiere product.
Salda assured enough supply of strawberries during the festival.