LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Municipal officials and division heads offered general information regarding the schedule and events for the Strawberry Festival with the theme: “A Festival for Recovery: Building a Brighter Future from Adversities” during the Kapihan sa La Trinidad press conference recently.
Strawberry Festival 2023 begins March 6 with the ribbon cutting in the municipal park and the opening of Strawberry Lane and the Agro-Fair, in which traders, farmers, and micro, medium, and small enterprises will sell strawberry products and by-products.
The following day, young artists will compete in the art and mural contest. The competition intends to allow young amateur artists to showcase and enhance their talents by promoting the La Trinidad strawberries through their art pieces.
A community breakfast entitled “Duting Tan Dukto” and a Strawberry Fun Run will be on March 11. The biggest and sweetest strawberries will also be featured in Strawberry Lane. Further, an Agro-Fair contest will also be held on the same day.
From March 12 to March 25, local musicians will perform in the municipal park for the Concert at the Park event in the afternoon. Also, local employers will provide job opportunities at the job fair on March 25.
There will also be a Battle of the Bands in the afternoon of March 17.
One of the main events of the Strawberry Festival is the Drum and Lyre, Street Dancing, and Small Floats Parade on March 18. The Small Floats Parade, in particular, will include two categories: strawberry-themed and floats created from recycled materials. Local bakers will recreate their Guinness world record-breaking strawberry cake on the same day.
A pair from each of the 16 barangays will compete for the crown in the Mr. and Ms. La Trinidad Strawberry Festival, with the pre-pageant on March 19 and the pageant night on March 26. Dongba ni Kabajo will be from March 25 to March 26 as well.
Barangays will have their night to celebrate their efforts on March 29. The strawberry festival will end on March 31 with awarding of the winners from the competitions held during the festival.
The Strawberry Festival started as a town fiesta in 1981 and eventually evolved into what it is known for today. It is an opportunity for the municipality to highlight its One-Town-OneProduct and other agricultural products. By Milles Rodriguez
