Organizers of this year’s Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival, which is set from May 24 to 26, launched dance competitions as added attractions to the annual event, which puts the spotlight on this city’s famous charcoal-grilled chicken.

To take chicken inasal global, new events include the dance challenge and modern movement competition as well as the global beats or street dance competition.

Videos of Bacolodnons taking on the Bacolod Chicken Inasal dance craze were posted on social media on Wednesday after the release of the teaser video earlier this week.

“This 2024, the celebration shall focus on creating platforms and portals for the global and national audience. After discovering its roots and paying homage to its history, it’s time to share the Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival with the rest of the world,” the city government said in a statement.

Other activities include food tasting and beer pairing, barangay inasal cook-offs and workshops, and chicken inasal awards.

The first Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival was held in 2018 and was followed by another in 2019 before taking a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2023, the festival returned with the showcase of a 320-meter-long chicken grilling station cooked by some 70 concessionaires at Megaworld’s The Upper East.

Under City Ordinance 1012-2022, chicken inasal has been declared the cultural property of Bacolod. (PNA)