Pangasinan sea festival preparations on

Lingayen (16 March) — The Pangasinan Pistay Dayat (sea festival) this year offers a complete summer spectacle here for children, teenager and adults, according to organizers.

The Lingayen beachfront, which was already cleared with sand dunes and sea grass, will be the venue of most of the events.

The weeklong celebration, from April 25 to May 2, will kick off with a fluvial parade along the Agno River 8 a.m. on April 25 and a boodle fight at lunchtime in Salasa, Bugallon.

A tourism and trade expo will also open on the same day at 4 p.m. featuring the best products of every municipality and city in the province. The event will also coincide with a Drum & Lyre/Drum and Bugle dubbed as "Banda Parada" exhibition from Capitol Plaza to the Lingayen beachfront.

Music will take center stage in the evening during the semi-final of the "Konsyerto sa Gulpo," a concert featuring the original composition of local bands advocating environmental awareness. The six districts will each have two representatives in the competition.

Children will have a full day of fun flying kites or sculpting sand castles on April 26 during the Children's Day or "Gantilan na Ugugaw ed Dayat." At 4 p.m., the multi-awarded Calasiao Children's Choir, which is set to join an international choir fest, will render a concert at the Lingayen beachfront. The Bingo Socials will also be simultaneously held to raise funds for the choir.

They will also be treated to a world class acrobatic show and a visually stunning dance number by the Wanders International Circus on April 29 at 7p.m.

After its successful debut last year, the Grand Orchestra and Ballroom Dancing Showdown now dubbed as "Sangkabalegan ya Suwayan tan Sayawan", will comeback with 10 participants this year from only four last year.

The loveliest ladies of Pangasinan will vie for the coveted title of Limgas na Pangasinan 2009 talent competition on April 28 at 4 p.m.

The year-long search for the Cleanest River and Coastal Municipality/City will have its awarding ceremony on May 1 at the Lingayen beachfront. The search is a brainchild of Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr., aimed at protecting the coastal areas and rivers in Pangasinan.