THE northern municipality of Consolacion will celebrate its centennial founding anniversary with six days of activities, starting on Feb. 1, 2020.

Aside from a parade on opening day, the town will also hold the Grand Sarok Festival on Feb. 6, with five contingents from the elementary level and five contingents from the high school level competing in the christian/rural-based and free interpretation categories.

Mayor Joannes Alegado said the champion will receive P100,000; second place, P75,000; third place, P50,000; fourth place, P40,000; and fifth place, P30,000.

Before the showdown, a two-kilometer street dancing will be held on designated streets.

Alegado said Feb. 6, which is a Thursday, will be a holiday in the town.

The mayor reminded motorists to avoid the national highway that runs through the town between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. that day, as one lane will be closed to traffic for the street dancers.

“We are asking the public that if you plan to go to the city or go home to the north, you traverse Consolacion at around 7 p.m. because the parade shall have ended by then. Traffic should be normal in the morning since the road closure will not take effect until 2 p.m.,” Alegado said in a mix of Cebuano and English.

She reminded spectators and participants to bring hand sanitizers in view of the threat of the 2019 novel coronavirus.

Consolacion allocated P20 million for the festivities that also include a sarok weaving contest, a centennial ball and a fashion show.

On Feb. 2, four centenarians will each receive P30,000 from the Municipal Government. On Feb. 3, plays will be held. A visual art exhibit will open on Feb. 4. The Mr. and Ms. Centennial pageant will be held later that night. The “Battle of the Bands” will be held on Feb. 5. (GCM / RSR)