Baguio all set for Panagbenga street dance, flower float parade

BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc., the city government, and the police are ready for the street dance and flower float parade of the 28th Panagbenga Festival from Feb. 24 to 25.

“We’re proud to say that due to the hard work, long hours, and the experience of our chief of staff with the support of different government offices, different sectors, we’re all systems go, we have a green light and we are excited for this weekend parade,” said BFFFI Executive Chairman Anthony de Leon at the Kapihan sa Baguio media conference on Feb. 21.

According to De Leon, there are more participants, especially in the float parade, compared to previous years. “So we congratulate the team that organized the registration and the preparation for the float competition this year.”

He said there was only an average of 14 to 15 large floats before. But now that the small, medium, and large category is open, there will be 34 floats parading on Sunday – three small, 14 medium, and 13 large in the competition, two non-competing, and two Hall of Famers.

Spectators look forward to flower

float parade the most, as different types of flowers and celebrities can be seen on each float, De Leon said.

There are six participants in the elementary drum and lyre category in the street dancing parade on Saturday, cultural groups, and seven in the festival dance category, including six outside participants from Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, and Kalinga.

Spectators are expected on Session and Harrison Roads as early as 5 a.m. Police, volunteers, and medical teams will be stationed beginning 12 midnight on the route of the parade.

Police Lt. Col. Zacarias Dausen, chief of the Baguio City Police Office-traffic Enforcement Unit, said 1,753 policemen, police interns, volunteers, and medical personnel will help secure the twin events and surrounding areas.