The fishing folkways of Mercedes, Camarines Norte takes center stage once more as the town celebrates the bounty of the seas in the 15th Kadagatan Festival from Aug. 1 to 8 in observance of its 64th Founding Day.



Mercedes municipal mayor Alex Pajarillo said that the weeklong festivity will showcase the town’s fishery and cultural heritage, and its enchanting islands to promote its sports tourism potentials.



Situated at on Bicol’s Pacific seaboard, the town is among the country’s richest fishing grounds.



Adding spice to the celebration are the paraw regatta on Aug. 3, 2nd Bikini Open and Reggae Night on Aug. 4, the Miss Mercedes 2012 Pageant Night on Aug. 5,  the 1st National Skimboarding Competition + Push Race on Aug. 4-5, and the Muziklaban musical night on Aug. 6.



Action shifts to the seas with the staging of the second 15-km Pacific Kayak Surfing Challenge on Aug. 6-7 which will see the town’s emergence as a haven for kayak surfing because of its challenging waves.

The two-day paddling tournament kicks off with a 5-km novice race around Baybay Beach. Adventure continues with a reforestation project at the Mangrove Forest in Apuao Grande, a white sand beach island where participants will camp out overnight.



 The 15-km race to Baybay Beach gets going on Aug. 7, passing through some of the idyllic islands in the Siete Pecados group which is noted for its unspoiled white sand beaches, crystalline waters and marine sanctuaries.



 Scattered on Bicol’s Pacific seaboard, the archipelago is composed of Apuao Grande, Apuao Pequeña, Caringo, Canton, Canimog, Malasugui, and Quinapaguian.



 The festival’s highlight unfolds on Aug. 7 in the street dance competition which will depict the town’s coastal lifestyle in colorful costumes and marine-inspired floats.



 Festivities culminate on Aug. 8 with the town’s founding day rites and awarding of outstanding local achievers.



 Pajarillo said that the kayaking tourney hopes to jumpstart ecotourism and livelihood programs based on kayaking tours, and strengthen Camarines Norte’s position as an emerging sports adventure and ecotourism destination



 For details, add Mercedes on Facebook: Mercedes Camarines Norte (Love Ko si Mercedes), email discovermercedes@yahoo.com or call 0947-2060301or 0919-7273701.



 



Article and photos from: Camarines Norte LGU