The first Bacolod Fireworks Festival will be held on Dec. 15 and 22 at the SM grounds in Bacolod City .

The activity is a joint project of the city government with SM-Bacolod, Convegys and ABS CBN.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday said the project will be participated by contestants coming from Manila , Dumaguete and Bacolod .

The fireworks competition will start at 9 p.m. and three contestants will perform on Dec. 15 and another three on Dec. 22, while the foodfest will start at 6 p.m.

Because of the event, the city has to transfer the area for vendors engaged in the retail sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics back to the BAYS Center , he added.

The first prize winner will receive P70,000; second prize, P50,000; and third prize, P30,000.

The activity organized by Out of the Box Unlimited will be participated on Dec. 15 by Spectra-Bacolod, and Lee Fireworks and Nippon Fireworks, both from Manila, and on Dec. 22 by Peacock Fireworks-Bacolod, DSS Fireworks-Dumaguete and Pyro Heaven- Manila .

The SM City Bacolod Pyro Magic 2007 is a free festival of family entertainment that includes live musical performances, a BMX exhibition, cuisine from local restaurants and special activities, a press release from the organizers said.

The mall will be open from 9 a.m. to midnight , and a VIP area will be provided for early comers to park their cars and enjoy the show in the comfort of their vehicles, the press release also said.

Leonardia said he intends to meet with the United Negros Drivers and Operators Center and the Federation of Bacolod Drivers Association this week to request them to give special fares for the people of Alangilan, Granada, Handumanan, Vista Alegre, Felisa and other far flung barangays to encourage them to witness the fireworks festival.

Leonardia said they want to make the fireworks festival a regular activity in Bacolod City in addition to the MassKara and BacoLaodiat festivals. “For us, this is a start. We eventually want this to be a part of the regular calendar of Bacolod City ,” he said.

In Manila , there is the International Fireworks Festival so here in Bacolod , they want a similar activity, he said.

Leonardia said he is also planning to meet with the City Tourism Council to discuss the possibility of holding an international food festival along Lacson Street.*CGS

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