KALIBO, Aklan – A festival featuring local food will begin today in this capital town.
The Kalibo Food Festival is now on its 23rd year, organized by the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Tourism Council and the municipal government.
Eight kiosks will offer signature dishes and local bands will play at the Pastrana Park covered basketball court starting today until June 23.
The festival precedes the feast day of Saint John the Baptist, the patron saint of Kalibo, on June 24.
Traditionally, the festival culminates with a water-dousing activity to welcome the June 24 event, which is locally called “San Juan.”
The midyear festival was first held along S. Martelino Street in front of the Pastrana Park in 1995. It was called “Kalibo Food Festival sa Kalye” at the time.
In 2009, it was held at the Magsaysay Park following the devastation that super typhoon “Frank” brought in June the year prior.
The festival had been held at the Magsaysay Park for the next eight years.
The organizers transferred the festival to the Pastrana Park this year due to the ongoing building construction at Magsaysay Park. (With Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
