After two years of going virtual thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Colombian Folk Festival returns to be held in person. Residents and tourists alike will finally be able to physically enjoy Colombia's most important traditional folklore festival in its 48th edition.

"Our message of support to culture and economic reactivation is clear: in Ibagué we will have the Colombian Folk Festival and it will be the best in history. After two years of pandemic, we are all looking forward to enjoying this Festival with the objective that it will also contribute to the economic reactivation of our city," said Andrés Fabián Hurtado, Mayor of Ibagué.

In addition to the usual parades of floats, folklore queens and troupes from all over the country, the festival features different dance contests, and food fairs, among other events that enhance the country's culture.

At this edition of the festival, the traditional parades of June 24 and July 3, corresponding to San Juan and San Pedro, will be held again along Carrera Quinta in the capital of Tolima, to the delight of all attendees.

Alba Lucía García, secretary of Economic Development, said she is proud of the management they have done to capture the interest of large national companies to invest and place their trust in the historical and traditional events of the country.

"Ibagué is the center of attention of Colombians as a tourist destination, and more so for this season where we all prepare to live our Colombian Folk Festival. We are proud that our work as an Administration is reflected in the interest of large companies such as Avianca, which are encouraging tourists to discover the Musical Capital," she said.

Since 2005, the event has been part of the Cultural and Artistic Heritage of the Nation, so its return is a unique opportunity to return to enjoy the best Colombian traditions accompanied by a good tamale or lechona tolimense.