BAGUIO CITY – Organizers of the 22nd Baguio Flower Festival, otherwise known as Panagbenga, initially lined up some sixteen activities for the month-long festivities from February 1 to March 5, 2017.
The theme of the 33-day festivities is “Inspired by Beauty, Nurtured by Nature” to help make local residents and visitors value the importance of initiatives to preserve and protect the environment.
The flower festival will kick-off with the Grand Opening Parade featuring streetdancing contingents from participating elementary and secondary schools, starting from the Panagbenga Park along Upper Session road up to the Melvin Jones grandstand on February 1, be followed by the inauguration and opening of the Baguio Blooms Exposition and Exhibition market encounter at the Juan Luna and Lake Drive in Burnham Park from February 1 to March 5, 2017.
On February 12, Panagbenga organizers will be holding the Handog ng Panagbenga sa Pamilya Baguio at the Melvin Jones grandstand which will give local residents free treats through various activities.
The different elementary and secondary schools in the city will also participate in various school-based competitions to held on February 15, 2017, at the City Hall Multipurpose Hall and the Baguio City National High School (BCNHS) auditorium.
Golf enthusiasts will have a chance to show their prowess on the golf course during the Flower Tee Golf Tournament on February 17, 2017, at the Baguio Country Club fairways followed by the three-day Philippine Military Academy (PMA) alumni homecoming on February 17-19 in PMA.
Interested exhibitors will have the chance to show their products to the millions of local residents and visitors through the Exhibitor’s Day on February 25-26, 2017 at the Ganza Parking area.
Thousands of streetdancers from schools inside and outside the city will dance their way along the parade route from Upper Session |road down to the Melvin Jones grandstand on February 25, 2017 followed by the grand float parade and marching bands competition on February 26, 2017, from the DILG rotunda in upper Session Road down to the Melvin Jones grandstand
On February 27 to March 5, 2017, Session Road, the main thoroughfare in the city, will be closed to vehicular traffic to serve as a promenade area featuring sidewalk cafes and the display of flower-inspired products and handicrafts from the different parts of the archipelago.
The traditional Pony Boys Day will be on March 4, 2017, at the Wright Park while the closing ceremonies and grand fireworks display will be held at the Melvin Jones grandstand on March 5, 2017./By Dexter A. See
