Cultural performances, traditional market encounter and a landscaping competition are expected to delight visitors in this city during the opening of the 2023 Panagbenga Festival on Feb. 1.

Evangeline Payno, chief of staff of the Executive Committee (ExeCom) of the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation (BFFF), bared this activities in a message to the Philippine News Agency on Monday.

“There are eight cultural performing groups: Amamong Chi Umili Cultural Group, Bicas Di Litagwan Cultural Group, Bunak Shi Shuntog Performing Group, Easter College, Kafagway Cultural Group, Pinsao National High School, UP Youth Organization and the Igorot Treasurers International and Benguet TV Cultural Group will be performing during the opening parade,” she said.

In between the cultural performances are drum and lyre entries from three schools — the Philippine Military Academy and the Saint Louis University High School and College — which marching bands will set the mood with the “Panagbenga”, the Baguio Flower Festival hymn.

Payno also said there will be 18 entries in a professional landscaping competition at the Melvin Jones football grounds for the open or freestyle category and at the sidewalk of Juan Luna Drive for the vertical landscaping category, which will be formally opened to the public for viewing and photo taking on Feb. 1.

The entries will be on display until the closing of the 2023 festival on March 5.

The traditional activities will again be held for this year’s festivities that went on a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Based on the official schedule released by the BFFF, the most awaited and the biggest crowd-drawing events — the grand street dancing parade and the grand float parade, which will be joined by contingents from other provinces, are set on Feb. 25 and 26. (PNA)