LA TRINIDAD – The 42nd Strawberry Festival formally opened with an Ecumenical Mass, and Ribbon Cutting of the Strawberry Lane and Agro Fair held on March 6 at the Municipal Park.
With the theme “A festival for recovery: Building A Brighter Future from Adversities,” the festival had its ribbon cutting at the Strawberry Lane and Agro Fair as a signal of the start of the celebration of the festival. The fair displays strawberries, strawberry-based products, and other locally produced products of farmers, traders, and entrepreneurs.
La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda expressed his gratitude towards local farmers and traders for contributing to the town’s economy and the festival. Their variety of products is the primary livelihood source in the municipality. Salda also thanked the different agencies for their continued support of the farming industry, even providing free training to local farmers.
Abundance of festivities
In line with the month-long celebration of the Strawberry Festival, the municipality of La Trinidad has prepared activities scattered throughout the festival.
One of its much-awaited is the biggest and sweetest strawberry which will be featured at the Strawberry Lane and Agro Fair on March 11. Together with it is a community breakfast entitled “Duting Tan Dukto,” and a Strawberry Fun Run will happen the same day.
One of the highlights is the Drum and Lyre, Streetdancing, and Small Floats Parade on March 18. Strawberry-themed floats will parade the streets of La Trinidad to the Municipal Grounds on March 18.
On that same day, the largest strawberry shortcake will also be featured, allowing residents and tourists to taste La Trinidad’s best. This particular event paved the way for the municipality to garner the title of the Largest Strawberry Shortcake awarded by the Guinness Book of World records after the municipality was able to bake and present it to the public back in 2004.
Strawberry Festival began after Former Mayor Hilarion Pawid established the first festival in 1981. Pawid saw the potential of strawberry farming on their land and saw this as an opportunity for local farmers to plan strawberries and feature them in their cultural gatherings. It is also perfect timing, as a week before the festival’s opening is the celebration of the Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City. Tourists from all over can visit both festivities in one trip to experience the culture of the Cordillera. By Graysheil Frae Runes