Yes, there will be lights, attractions, sounds, fireworks, parade, and more, as Bacolod City celebrate its nationally-known BacoLaodiat Festival from February 7 to 10, 2013.
This 2013 BacoLaodiat Festival, which celebrates the Chinese New Year in Bacolod, is now on the 8th year.
The theme of the 2013 BacoLaodiat Festival is “Binding Cultures and Opportunities”, and is aimed to highlight and further strengthen significant ties that bind the Filipino and Chinese, the Festival organizers in their press release said.
The BacoLaodiat Festival in Bacolod follows the traditional practice of the Chinese in welcoming their New Year with firecrackers to drive away bad spirits and welcome good luck, as well as with lion and dragon dancers, Chinese lanterns to light up the streets, and their favorite Chinese food.
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2013 is the Year of the Snake, the 6th animal in the 12 year cycle.
As such, snake lanterns will be in the grounds facing the Bacolod City Government Center building (City Hall) and the Provincial Capitol Lagoon and Park for the judging of the snake lantern making contest, to be participated in by Bacolod City barangays and the Local Government Unit/open category.
As usual, the Chopsticks Alley at Lacson Street will open on February 7, and will feature a food walk and night market with colorful booths of delicious Chinese food, souvenirs, arts and crafts.
The festival organizers in their press release said Lacson Street, which is Bacolod’s Tourism Strip (22nd to 4th Lacson Streets) will feature the Dazzling Grand Parade on February 8 with floats, lanterns, lion and dragon dancers, Chinese schools and the Chinese-Filipino family associations.
In addition, dancers for the Street Lantern Dance Competition, using Chinese lanterns, choreographed in various formations will be shown at Lacson Street.
The longest ”human snake” will wind along Lacson Street followed by the Lantern Dance Competition.
The 8th BacoLaodiat Festival will highlight on February 10, which is the Chinese New Year, which will feature fireworks display in the evening, according to the festival organizers.
So, enjoy the 2013 Chinese New Year in Bacolod City by participating in the 8th BacoLaodiat Festival.
* photo credits: visayan daily star, negros daily bulletin, skyscraper city