The Alimango Festival is a colorful and fascinating celebration in the town of Lala in the province of Lanao del Norte held around March 22 every year. It is in line with the thrust of the National Leadership and the Department of Tourism to promote and enhance a community-based development and sustainable tourism.
What is envisioned therein is a community-based and eco-oriented agricultural tourism which center the display, sale, and promotion of Alimango-specie of crustacean, which abundantly abounds in the seven coastal barangays of Lala, province of Lanao del Norte, situated along Panguil Bay.
Lala is the number one producer of this species of Alimango in Lanao del Norte. Besides its display and sale festival is the Alimango Street Dance Contest: a package of native and indigenous costumes, dances, and contest depicting and promoting local cultures and traditions, Alimango-inspired motifs of the ati-atihan dances during the parade.
The “alimango” became a symbol of unity among Christians, Lumads, and Muslims who are living in harmony and prosperity in the 27 barangays of Lala. Further, it also became a symbol of economic development as more people in various communities developed sustainable livelihood and agricultural practices.
An agri-aqua trade fair in the weeklong celebration been put up where visitors and guests can see display of products from the barangays’ booths, and a nightly live band is performed which adds merriment to tourists.
Other activities to the delight of the crowd to witness are the Barangay Day with "Pinaka Contest” on vegetables, livestock and marine products; Kasalan (mass wedding); sports activities with the Sangguniang Kabataan; a tribute in the Women’s Month Celebration this month of March particularly those women with disabilities, citizen’s and teacher’s day; variety shows; free clinic; and highlighted with the 2012 Miss Lala Pageant; and a fireworks display and disco.
The municipality of Lala has a lot to offer for the people of in all walks of life. The opportunity within can accommodate people of various interests. It has its innate commercial advantage for future investors: it is an education capital on the rise, a healthcare haven, and a busy night café and weekends on local bars and hang-outs.