http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Goa-Tourism-soon-to-celebrate-Shigmo-Goa-Food-Festival-2016/articleshow/51601049.cms
Goa Tourism is all set to celebrate the annual festivals of colour, culture and cuisine, namely Shigmo and the Goa Food and Cultural Festival 2016.
Shigmo is celebrated in Goa as spring’s biggest festival which honored the homecoming of the warriors who had left their homes and families at the end of Dussehra to fight the invaders. During Shigmo, traditional folk dances and depiction of mythological scenes through parades all across the state is the major highlight. People dress in colorful outfits, hold colourful flags and play musical instruments like the Dhol Tasha, Flutes and go in procession.
This year the Shigmo Utsav festivities are scheduled to begin from March 24 and will culminate on April 7, 2016 and the Goa Food and Cultural Festival 2016 is scheduled to begin from April 6-10.
The two events are expected to draw lakhs of tourists to Goa as it coincides with the commencement of the summer vacations.
The first Shigmo parade commenced on Thursday, March 24 (Holi) at Ponda.
The annual Goa Food and Cultural Festival 2016 will commence on April 6-10 at the D B Bandodkar Ground, Campal, Panjim. This year the five day event has an exciting line up of an activity which includes cooking competitions, cooking demos and a live distillation unit.
Music and Dance performances by various groups namely Goenchim Noketram, Indian Ocean, Dance to the Beats, Rhythm and Blues, Kepemchim Kirnnam, Lagori, the Big T Band, Bollywood Hip Hop and Dance Fusion, Thermal and Quarter, Taaq, Bad Blood and One Night Stand have been lined up during the five day event.
Minister for Tourism, Dilip Parulekar said “Festivals in Goa are celebrated with much enthusiasm both by the locals and tourists. Goa celebrates a large number of festivals all through the year. However, Shigmo is one event that shows how vibrant Goa’s culture is. So also, the Goa Food and Cultural Festival is much loved and enjoyed by everyone who attends it. This year too Goa promises a festive mood and food that will set summer vacations a buzz.
The Goa Food and Cultural Festival is a platform giving tourists a platter of cuisine both Goan and fusion of Indian and Western flavours. We want tourists from India and the international sectors to visit Goa and witness Goa’s vibrant culture and cuisine.”