Dagupan City’s preparation in staging the 2006 Dagupan City fiesta is in full swing as the calendar of activities that are worth the attention and visit not only from local guests but international tourists as well are already lined up for this year’s celebration.

 According to Coun. Librada “Dada” Reyna, 2006 fiesta hermana mayor, this year’s celebration will not only focus on the major events done each year but will also highlight worthwhile activities for Dagupeño children and their families since the fiesta coincides with the Christmas season.

 Reyna bared that this year’s theme “Celebrate Life” will feature various events ranging from social, educational, economic, cultural, sports and religious activities.

 She said that this year’s celebration promises to be a globally spectacular event through a series of activities that include the trade expo, family carnival, singing contest, dance festival, photo contest, sportsfest, beauty pageant, garden show, car show, street party, acrobatic show, dog show, cheerdance competition, fluvial parade, street parade, lantern and costume parade, live bands, cultural entertainments, homecomings, fireworks display, among others.

 ”We want to let our guests, especially Dagupeños, know that aside from witnessing the traditional events, they will also experience new and exciting activities,” Reyna pointed out.

 In connection with the preparation of the fiesta celebration, the hermana mayor said she started meeting with the chairpersons of various events committee in as early as June 28.

 ”We will not be able to stage all these activities without the support of the community and the private sector,” she stressed.

 The month-long celebration of the city fiesta is slated on December 1 to 30. (Leziel T. Cayabyab)

Dagupan City is all set in staging the world renowned “Kalutan ed Dagupan,” the country’s only Guinness World Record holder for longest barbecue, on April 30, 5:30 p.m. at the city’s main thoroughfare. Half a million people are expected again to take part in this culminating activity of the Bangus Festival. Twelve concert stages will be set up to accomodate a host of celebrities and popular bands to perform in the entire stretch of the barbecue party.

According to Coun. Nick Aquino, Bangus Festival 2006 chairman, the kalutan is an ultimate party where you can watch various well known performers in one stretch while you barbecue the tastiest milkfish in the world.

Some of the guest celebrities to perform include Francis M., Masculados, Blakdyak, Imago band and some Pinoy Big Brother housemates and other celebrity performers courtesy of the festival’s sponsors. To rev up the Kalutan party, the grand champion of the Dinagyan Festival Ati-Atihan contest, accompanied by the top three winners of the Gilon! Gilon! street dancing will strut their winning steps along the streets.

As early as three days before the event, the organizers, led by event chairman Alex Siapno, will start setting up the makeshift stages along the downtown area and other final preparations.

“This year’s kalutan focuses more on having a great fun by enjoying varied music and feasting on a huge buffet of succulent Dagupan bangus. We are not after the record anymore since we still hold the Guinness title of Longest Barbecue in the World,” Siapno bared.