STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

La Trinidad Benguet is the Guinness World Record Holder of the “Largest Strawberry Cake,” a recognition awarded during the Strawberry Festival in March 2004.

During the festival locals and visitors alike can enjoy various activities, including Agro Trade fair, the search for Ms. Strawberry Festival 2009 and Mr. La Trinidad, jobs fair, strawberry contests, Strawberry Farm tour and berry picking, Dumba ni Kabajo, Benguet Grand Battle of the Country Western bands, and many more.

Photo from: karlaredor.com

A civic and float parade in the morning of March 18 will be followed by the Strawberry Festival main program, which will be held at the municipal gym. The day’s program will also feature the 2009 Strawberry Cake Slices, a cultural presentation, and an “Uwik.” A fireworks display will light the night to cap the entire day’s activities.

The Strawberry Farm

One activity that is highly recommended is strawberry picking at the Strawberry Farm in the nearby La Trinidad, Benguet.

strawberry benguet Photo from: http://travelogphilippines.com/index.php/2009/03/2009-strawberry-festival-in-la-trinidad-benguet/

A unique experience for the whole family, you get to pick fresh strawberries — right alongside the Ibaloi farmers — to bring home or consume while on vacation in the Summer Capital of the Philippines.

Located just 30 minutes from Baguio City, Strawberry Farm “opens it doors” for the activity from November to May every year.

Photo from: https://nicerioadventures.blogspot.com/2017/05/benguet-strawberry-farm.html

The rates for strawberry picking vary. In general, it costs twice the market price to pick your own strawberries, which folks find strange, especially those who have tried apple or orange picking in orchards in other countries thinking they provide “free labor.”

The difference here is that strawberries are a very delicate fruit compared to apples and oranges and a lot are actually ruined or wasted when harvested by ‘amateurs.’ So half the cost is for the strawberries, and the other half is for the activity itself.