Dagupan Vice-Mayor and Overall Chairperson for the Bangus Festival Belen Fernandez and Mayor Alipio Fernandez expect a 30 percent increase in visitor arrival this year.

Dagupan’s Bangus Festival, one of the grandest festivals of the north, is all set to welcome thousands of tourists who will come to witness the unique and celebration. Dagupan is known as the “Bangus Capital of the World” as the province is acknowledged to have the best tasting and biggest bangus (milk fish).

The festival is set to showcase the Dagupeños’ fishing culture and their world famous bangus. Over the years, the festival has been one of the most anticipated events of the north as it features an array of exciting and entertaining activities for both foreign and local tourist .The festival kicks off with a motorcade parade on April 16, 2010.

“Last year, we had an estimated number of 700,000 visitors who came to join us in our celebration. By providing more exciting activities and extending the much beloved food strip, we expect to have a 30 percent increase in the number of visitors,” said Belen Fernandez, Dagupan Vice Mayor and Overall Chairperson for the Bangus Festival.

The Bangus Festival was originally a sea festival of sorts but has now evolved into an all-embracing festival.

“Dagupan’s Bangus Festival is now a celebration of good harvest from both the sea and the land. From previously having only local participants, it has now become a regional event called the Festivals of the North which is truly a tourist crowd drawer. This year’s festival will feature for the first time three regions (regions 1, 2 and 3)  that will participate in the One Town One Product activity to promote the country’s native products,” added Fernandez.

The Festivals of the North will showcase an entertaining showdown of street dancers from different town and cities of the North. Also included in the line-up of activities is the longest street party which will be held in the De Venecia Super Diversion highway which is regarded as the city’s newest scenic spot. There will also be a food strip for Dagupan’s famous Pigar Pigar where fresh food and vegetables are uniquely cooked in front of the guests and served with beer.

“Of course there would be bangus based activities such as the bangus cook fest and the bangus rodeo as well as various sports activities. And of course, the not to be missed Gilon Gilon festival,” said Fernandez.

The Gilon Gilon festival is a competition of Dagupan’s local barangays using dance steps that are unique to the province. The Gilon Gilon dances usually depict the harvest of the bangus from ponds and fish pens.

The month long celebration of the Bangus festival will be held from April 16 to May 1, 2010.