This is what greeted us this morning. It's a great sign already.
Today was the schedule of the float parade. It's not just a float parade but there was also street dancing.
This is the video I took of the said parade. Feel free to watch and don't forget to subscribe to my channel. Thank you!
We have already anticipated the crowd so we decided to go out early. Not that early though but just before the sun was really up. We hiked from our place to the city and to the spot where we watched the parade. When we arrived, thankfully, it was not that crowded as compared to where we usually watched the previous ones. Maybe cause people are learning that it is better to watch online if you want to avoid the crowd. You can watch in the comfort of your home and you can have a better look of the parade from different angles. No hassle. Still, it's nice to be there where the action happens. The energy is different. You can feel and sense the joy and elation of the crowd watching their reactions as they are oohed and aahed by the event. If you plan to participate in the festival, plan ahead. Be there early. Be prepared physically and mentally.
I'm curious as to what kind of floats are we going to witness today. Three years is a long time and I actually miss this. What I like about watching the float parade is that there is the street dancing as well. Yes, we may not be able to witness the street dancing held the previous day but we get to see the best ones.
We used to position ourselves at the post office park whenever we decide to watch the parade because we can find a place to sit and at the same have a good view of the parade. However, that area was under renovation, so we watched in front of Casa Vallejo instead. No place to sit but at least it is shaded and the crowd is not as thick. We can still watch the parade up close.
The parade was scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m. and we were there around 6:30 a.m. or so. It was a long wait but worth it. Good thing the parade started right away.
We can hear from where were are the sound of band practicing or entertaining the crowd higher up the road where the parade will start. The anticipation is palpable.
The parade started with the city officials, the city band and the artworks from an early event.
Then the floats rolled down the road one by one. Street performers are sandwiched in between these floats.
This is a phoenix that represents the city's rise from the effects of the pandemic. I think this is a symbol for us all. It's reported to be 7 meters long and made up of 3,000 flowers. I don't know what kind of flowers they are but I am just amazed at the beauty of it. Well done, city!
Standing on the side is the winner of Ms. Baguio City.
That set the tone of the whole parade.
These ladies gracefully and colorfully entertained the crowd. They are known as Metamorphosis.
The traditional attire of the Cordillera should not be missed. This is to showcase the culture and tradition of the region to the delight of many mostly because of the attire of men just wearing g strings.
Sometimes the band would stop right in front of us and the music is deafening. That happens when the parade halts because of performers entertaining the crowd somewhere down the road.
There were two categories of floats, the small category and the large category. Nine entries joined the small category while eight joined the large category. There were a total of 25 floats that participated so far including five floats that are noncompeting, two from another sector and three floats from two hall of famers.
Some of the floats have local celebrities in them which is one of the anticipated things the crowd would want to see.
Some of the floats were high that they get caught in the wires hanging above the streets. So far nothing bad happened other than some flowers caught in them.
The winner of yesterday's street dancing competition joined the parade as well and they demonstrated why they were declared winners.
The parade ended with these Koreans garbed in different costumes on horses. Koreans used to be one of the foreigners with the most number who live here in the city pre-pandemic. I think they are coming back to the city again.
Locals had lots to complain about the effects events like this have on the city and its people such as traffic which is the number one concern just like any other touristy city. However, there is that sense of pride still to show culture through this event. We appreciate those who appreciate it and kept coming back just like one guy beside us who said that he keeps coming back every year to witness the parade and others like him. The city welcomes everyone who wants to participate in this festival.
Overall, I was delighted by the floats this year. There are still some that are not that great but in general, all the floats are amazingly beautifully done. I'm looking forward to next year's event.
We left the place with smiles on our faces. We then headed to a place we frequent if we want vegetable dishes. There we had our brunch.
They serve mostly vegetarian meals but they also serve some non-vegetarian ones. We like coming here because the serving is plenty for a low price.
When we got home, I was beat! Standing for a long time is not that easy. If I was younger, it would have been okay for I have more energy then. I had to sleep it off to regain my strength.
Anyway, there goes my Sunday. How was yours? Thanks for reading!
#BeautifulSunday is hosted by @ace108 and #SublimeSunday by @c0ff33a.