Flower festival activities

It featured the "Ipitik," a tapuey (native rice wine) tasting activity with prayers soliciting God's blessing on the festivities, inauguration of multi-colored lights at Burnham Park and opening fireworks display. At 6PM, the city inaugurated the multi-colored lights at Lakeside Burnham Park to be followed by the opening fireworks display at the Melvin Jones grandstand.

Panagbenga activities began with the home and salad garden contests, launching of school-based landscaping contest from Dec. 5 to Jan. 28.

Last Jan. 29, the Paint-It-With Flowers banner painting contest kicked off from 8AM to 5PM at the Burnham Skating Rink. Last Feb. 4-5, the Cultural Chinese Arts and Craft trade show were held at People's Park.

The second week witnessed the following activities: Floral Expressions or Market Encounter at the Melvin Jones, Feb. 6-Mar. 20; Filipino-Japanese Friendship Festival on Feb. 10-Mar 10 at the People's Park; Fun at Fairyland on Feb. 11-12 at the Children's Playground.

The elimination round for the street dancing and drum and lyre competition was last Feb. 11 at the Athletic Bowl while 'Bulaklak sa Langit' fireworks display competition was done Feb. 12, also at the Athletic Bowl.

The third week featured the following: ballroom dancing for senior citizens and country garden serenades acoustic nights, both last Feb. 14, 7-10PM at the Skating rink; cultural Korean trade show series Korean arts and crafts Feb. 17, 8AM to 6PM at the People's Park; boxing tournament - Feb. 17, 6PM at the Athletic Bowl; woodstock revisited rhythm from the 70's concert at the Burnham Park Skating Rink - Feb. 18, 7-11PM; Palarong Pinoy featuring various indigenous games at the Athletic Bowl - Feb. 18-19.

Week 4 activities include a series of Victory Liner-sponsored activities as follows: medical mission - Feb. 20, tree planting - Feb. 21, search for Mr. and Ms. Baguio Flower Festival - Feb. 22 at the Baguio Convention Center, FM Panagbenga pop fiesta on Feb. 24, skateboard competition on March 4, and dolls of Japan exhibit from March 3-12. The main crowd-drawer, the streetdancing and float parade competitions dubbed "Flower Power" will fire off at 8AM on Feb. 25 along Session Road to the Athletic Bowl.

At 6PM, the Bulaklak rock battle of the bands and acoustic concert series shall be staged at the Skating Rink. A fireworks display, concert and variety shows will be staged in the evening at the Athletic Bowl, Skating Rink and Sunshine Park, respectively.

Week 5 will witness the opening of the "Flowers R in Session Trade Fair" Session Road Cafes from Feb. 27 to Mar 5, 7AM to 12MN. Floral odds and ends local arts scene shall be on Feb. 27 to Mar. 12, 8AM to 10PM at the People's Park, while the Sunflower Rodeo Pony Boys' Exhibition at Wright Park shall be on Mar. 5, 8AM to 5PM. On March 11, a kite fest will be staged at the Athletic Bowl.

Activities will wind up with the 'Gabi ng Pasasalamat' closing and awarding night set March 12, 6p.m. at the Melvin Jones grandstand.