KASKI, Dec 28: The 26th edition of the "Pokhara Street Festival" kicks off today, Saturday, in Pokhara amidst a special ceremony.
Organized by the Restaurant and Bar Association (REBAN) of Pokhara, the festival takes place within a 4-km area of Lakeside and will last until January 1, 2025, which marks the New Year Day, according to the Gregorian calendar.
The festival coordinator, Bikash Bhattarai, said that all preparations for the 26th edition of the festival, starting today, have been completed. He also mentioned that Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Man Gurung, is scheduled to inaugurate the festival amid a ceremony.
High spirits at Pokhara street festival
According to coordinator Bhattarai, a rally with cultural procession will be held before the inauguration ceremony, featuring the participation of various ethnic groups, over 60 mother groups, tourism-related organizations, and locals, starting from Khaire of Lakeside.
The various committees and sub-committees formed to ensure the success of the festival have stated that they have completed their preparations. Coordinator Bhattarai mentioned that REBAN Pokhara has held meetings with the security council, health committee, and cultural group as part of the festival preparations.
The festival, organized under the slogan "Eat on the street, enjoy on the street," will feature various cultural programs and displays of traditional attire, according to REBAN Pokhara President Bishwo Raj Paudel. The festival will include the display of national and international cuisines, a duet competition, float exhibitions, and a night concert, among other activities.
"The Street Festival has become a 'brand' of Pokhara. We believe that the festival, held on the occasion of the English New Year, will revitalize the tourism sector," said President Paudel.
To add more vibrancy to the festival, preparations for sports events on the street have also been completed, informed sports coordinator Suman Bhattarai. Events such as momo-eating, tug-of-war, spoon race for waiters and waitresses, and boat races will be held on the street. Additionally, as in the previous edition, a street dialogue program with information on tourism will also take place, according to REBAN.
