Entertainment by local talents will be a part of the Market Encounter at the Jose Abad Santos Drive and during the Session Road in Bloom (SRB).
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will do lectures on consumers' rights and the barangay landscaping contest has shifted into a fluvial parade at the Burnham Lake.
This is coupled with dance numbers from a local ballet school, sports activities by the airsoft gun club, and a three-night concert at Abanao Street.
The executive committee will also limit the number of contingents who will join the float parade. "We want the public to focus on the floats," execom chairperson Anthony de Leon said.
Judges for the float parade this time will come from the World Flower Council.
Because of the crowd expected to converge at the CBD during the float parade, the execom has thought of changing its route. No final plan has been drawn up, reason why the committee asked the public to send their suggestions for the route.
In the interim, the execom has identified Leonard Wood Road as starting point up to the Melvin Jones grounds, instead of the Athletic Bowl, as was practiced in the past.
"We always try to outdo the previous celebrations. But the success of the event does not depend on us, but on the community," execom co-chairperson Freddie Alquiros said.
The execom has also improved its guidelines for the renting out of spaces in both the market encounter and the Session Road-in-Bloom.
Market Encounter project directress Cathy dela Rosa and SRB supervisor Malou Galiste said all concessionaires were given instructions to stick to the guidelines set by the execom.
Among the guidelines include the ban on subleasing stalls and selling of products disallowed by both the City Government and the execom.
Major activities for the Panagbenga include the opening parade on February 1, beginning from Upper Session Road to the Melvin Jones football grounds.
At noon of the same day, until March 2, the Market Encounter formally opens. On February 11 to 17, will be the pony boys day; February 14 to March 2, the barangay beautification contest; February 22 to 24, would be the Abanao Nights; the grand street dancing parade on February 23 and the Float parade on February 24.
The SRB will be from February 25 to March 2.
A synchronized fireworks display will mark the closing ceremonies of the festival on March 2. (RO)
