LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA)–The capital town of La Trinidad is keen on pushing through with the Strawberry Festival this year but it would be toned down.
Mayor Romeo Salda said the Strawberry Festival is tentatively set for March 14 to 28, 2022, and crowd drawing activities are cancelled to ensure less mass gatherings.
He said initial activities proposed by the Strawberry Festival Executive Committee include the traditional rituals, the Strawberry Lane, musical activities, strawberry cake competitions, community clearing activities and community-led activities.
The traditional rituals and “owik” which are part of the cultural aspect of the celebration will be done but with limited participants.
The Strawberry Lane will be conducted at the municipal park to provide opportunity to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to sell and promote their products.
Musical activities that include acoustic band competition and concert at the park will be thru online to avoid crowding at the venue.
Salda said that instead of the baking of another giant cake, there will be a baking contest of strawberry cakes and the search for the best innovative products which will be opened to all bakers and enthusiasts in the municipality.
The Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Offices will spearhead the community cleaning of the Balili River, Bolo Creek, and communal forests.
The Strawberry Festival Executive Committee is finalizing the activities taking into consideration adherence to minimum public health standards.
The annual festival highlighting the One Town One Product of the “Strawberry Capital” was cancelled in the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. **JDP/RMC – PIA CAR
