A MORE creative Baguio Flower Festival is expected next year.

The 2019 staging of the Baguio Flower Festival was launched Monday morning, December 17.

With the theme “Blooming Forward,” the festival is due for some changes on its 24th year. It will start on February 1 and end on March 10.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan, chairman for life of the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Incorporated (BFFI), announced that the grand street dancing and float parades are set on March 2 and 3 instead of the traditional February schedules.

The mayor said the new schedule was agreed upon to give way to the different activities set for February.

As an added attraction, the Panagbenga open cultural dance competition will be included in the month-long festivities, giving a venue for Cordilleran songs, dances and attires.

Details and guidelines of the competition will be announced.

Domogan likewise announced the Baguio Blooms exposition and exhibition will not be utilizing Burnham Park’s Juan Luna Drive to ease traffic and congestion in the Central Business District.

The chief executive said the skating rink area is currently being eyed as venue for the BFF event.

However, Anthony De Leon, executive committee co-chairman, said a possible site has been identified outside Burnham Park but refused to disclose it as of press time.

Last year, Maybank and Master Siomai bested 24 other floats to win in the small and big float category.

Maybank secured the victory for the second time while Master Siomai won big for the first time.

In the street dancing - open category, Saint Louis University Laboratory High

School took home 1st place, unseating defending champion Tinungbo performers from Pugo Catholic School in La Union while Umingan, Pangasinan’s Tribu Rambak came in third.

In the high school division, the University of the Cordilleras Senior High School bagged the top spot, followed by Baguio City High and Pines City National.

In the elementary school division, Baguio Central School unseated Mabini Elementary School while Manuel Quezon Elementary placed third.