LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The “fruit capital” of Benguet is set to hold its 9th Fruit Festival from August 7 to September 4, 2023 in celebration of nature’s bounty.
Mayor Alfredo Dacumos Jr. said that despite recent typhoons that hit Northern Luzon and affecting the province of Benguet, they are ready to showcase locally grown and produced fruits and products in the municipality in the month – long event.
The local government of Sablan will kick off the festival with the theme, “Fruits of Harmony: Celebration of Nature’s Symphony” on Monday, August 7, with the opening of the agri – trade fair along the national highway.
Dacumos and Vice Mayor Arthur Baldo will lead municipal officials and employees and the public in a thanksgiving mass followed by the opening program at the municipal gymnasium.
Benguet Congressman Eric Go Yap and Governor Melchor Diclas are expected grace the opening program and will deliver their respective messages.
A canvass painting contest will also be held at the gymnasium after the opening ceremonies.
There are various activities lined up for the month-long celebration but the highlights are on September 1 to 4.
On Sept. 1 are the Indigenous Fruit Art Packaging and local fruit-based juice drink/fruit shake contest at the municipal gymnasium.
On September 2 marks the return of the Float Parade showcasing motorized floats decked with fruits, vegetables and other indigenous materials which will parade along the national highway from Barangay Banangan to the municipal gymnasium in Poblacion.
The inter-barangay agri-booth trade fair and competition will also open on September 2 to 4 along with the fruit medley or the showcase of various fruits of the municipality at the gymnasium.
The local government will also sponsor a free haircut and an acoustic competition and battle of the bands.
Featured on Sept. 3 will be Farmers’ Congress and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises /Cacao and art workshop at the municipal gym.
On September 4 will be the street dancing and ground demo from the SLSS grounds to the municipal gymnasium in the morning. Closing and awarding ceremonies will be in the afternoon.
Other activities include car and motorcycle show on Aug. 9; farm tour on Aug. 12 and 18, organizational formation of Calamay Farmers on Aug. 14 & 15 in Bayabas, and a video editing showdown dubbed as Sablan’s Finest Cuts on Aug. 16.
The local government will host a mass wedding ceremony and the poster making contest at the gymnasium on Aug. 18. Spay and neuter of animals is set on Aug. 23 while a combative sports competition and the Integrated Diversified Farming System Competition are scheduled on Aug. 25.
Featured on Aug. 28 are fun run around the municipality and the presentation of the heaviest fruits at the gymnasium.
Medical mission and bloodletting will be done August 30 also at the gymnasium.
The public is invited to join, experience and witness the exciting lineup of activities. PIA – CAR
