The promotional tour for Medellin’s “Feria de Flores,” the Antioquian capital’s famous flower festival, began Wednesday in five cities in Colombia.
The “touristic caravan” passed through Cali on Wednesday, is passing through Armenia on Thursday, and will hit Pereira, Manizales and Bogota over the next six days until June 23, making the trip to each of the five cities in colorful “chiva” buses to promote the upcoming event with flowers and song.
The Medellin city government and the Convention & Visitors Bureau are sponsoring the promotional circuit for the festival, which will take place from July 29 until August 7, featuring artisans called “silleteros” who parade baskets, or “silletas” of colorful flowers through the city streets.
According to an event press release, the promotional strategy aims to achieve an 80% occupation rate in the city’s hotels over the course of the 10-day festival and for the arrival of foreign tourists to increase 10% during the period, meaning that the city will expect 6,289 visitors for the event.
Event organizers also reported that this year Medellin will invite representatives from Guatemala to the Feria de Flores as guests of honor, to present the country’s vibrant array of artisan works that utilize flowers, as well as folkloric dances and carpets of flowers.
This year’s fair will offer over 100 events for a variety of public audiences, including musical and cultural activities, horseback performances, antique car displays and, of course, a great deal of flowers.