BACOLOD City – The Tourism Strip on Lacson Street won’t be among the venues of the 14th Bacolaodiat Festival next month.
City Tourism Officer Ma. Elma “Butch” Gerasmo said they want to decongest traffic on Lacson Street during the celebration that welcomes the Chinese New Year in this capital city.
She added that the festival – slated on Feb. 1 to 5 – will only have one venue, the Bacolod City Government Center fountain area.
Several activities were already lined up for Bacolaodiat, including a Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra concert.
A lantern dance competition will also be among the highlights of the festival.
Eight groups will participate. They are the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College-Alijis, Balow Dance Group, Granadianz, Double J Full Force, Choi Force, Rustylian, Jojaju, and defending champion BMD..
Other activities include a nightly fireworks display, a lantern-making contest, cultural events, Chinese food cooking demonstrations, and an exhibit of Asian arts and crafts.
Gerasmo said they are expecting about a million people to attend the five-day festival.
Meanwhile, the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) will implement a traffic rerouting scheme on roads near city hall starting 8 a.m. on Feb. 1.
There will be 328 traffic enforcers to be deployed on the first day of the Bacolaodiat, said BTAO chief Superintendent Luisito Acebuche.
A total of 24 traffic enforcers will be deployed on the succeeding festival dates.
Trucks will also be banned from using the circumferential road and other roads near the festival site./PN
