First contestant registers for 2017 Miss Heilala Pageant [1]
Tuesday, May 30, 2017 - 19:19. Updated on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 - 19:20.
Tonga is gearing up for the 2017 Heilala Festival - two weeks of events from 26 June until 9 July, the highlight being the Miss Heilala Pageant starting on 3 July. The first contestant to register for the pageant is Miss Tourism Tonga, 'Ana Havea.
A draft program released today by the Ministry of Tourism, schedules the Miss Heilala Pageant pre-pageant interview on Monday 3 July .
This will be followed by the Heilala float parade on 4 July, the Tau’olunga competition on 5 July and the Sarong, Talent and Island Creation event on 6 July.
The crowning of the new Miss Heilala 2017-18 is scheduled for 7 July at the 'Atele Indoor Stadium.
The current Miss Heilala is Laura Lauti from Oakland, California, who represented Loumaile Lodge last year.
Other events held during the Festival include Industry Competitions such as Chef / Bartender of the Year, as well as Tonga’s Got Talent quest, Cultural Dance Competition for Schools, International Food Festival, Heilala Block Party and much more.
Festival schedule
|
Date |
Time |
Event |
Venue |
|
26 June 2017 |
2pm |
Industry Competition: Chef of the Year |
Tanoa Hotel |
|
7pm |
Tonga’s Got Talent |
Digicel Tonga Square |
|
|
27 June 2017 |
10am |
Miss Heilala Orientation |
Scenic Hotel |
|
2pm |
Industry Competition: Best Floral Arrangement |
Tanoa Hotel |
|
|
7pm |
Cultural Dance Competition for Schools |
'Atele Indoor Stadium |
|
|
28 June 2017 |
2pm |
Industry Competition: Best Bartender of the Year |
Tanoa Hotel |
|
7pm |
Fe’auhi Hiva Kakala (Cultural Singing Competition) |
'Atele Indoor Stadium |
|
|
29 June 2017 |
7pm |
Miss Tau’olunga Junior Competition |
'Atele Indoor Stadium |
|
30 June 2017 |
2pm |
Industry Competition: Best Housemaid |
Tanoa Hotel |
|
7pm |
Heilala Block Party |
Downtown Taufa’ahau Road |
|
|
1 July 2017 |
7pm |
Welcoming Reception |
Loumaile Lodge |
|
2 July 2017 |
10am |
Lotu Fakataha for Miss Heilala Contestants |
Siasi Tonga Tau’ataina |
|
7pm |
Heilala Festival Choral Evening |
'Atele Indoor Stadium |
|
|
3 July 2017 |
10am |
Miss Heilala 1st judging event: Pre-Pageant Interview |
Loumaile Lodge |
|
10am |
Commemoration of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development |
Tonga National Centre |
|
|
7pm |
International Food Festival |
Pangai Lahi |
|
|
4 July 2017 |
9am |
Family Fun Fair |
Hala Vuna Waterfront |
|
11am |
Heilala Festival Float |
Kolisi Pule’anga to Faua Wharf |
|
|
7pm |
Miss Heilala: Dress Rehearsal |
'Atele Indoor Stadium |
|
|
5 July 2017 |
7pm |
Miss Heilala 2nd Judging event: Miss Heilala Tau’olunga |
'Atele Indoor Stadium |
|
6 July 2017 |
8am |
Heilala Rugby 9s: Preliminary Games |
'Apifo’ou College |
|
7pm |
Miss Heilala 3rd Judging event: South Pacific Evening
|
'Atele Indoor Stadium |
|
|
7 July 2017 |
10am |
Heilala Rugby 9s: Finals & Prize Giving |
'Apifo’ou College |
|
7pm |
Miss Heilala Grand Ball & Prize Giving |
'Atele Indoor Stadium |
|
|
8 July 2017 |
7pm |
Farewell Reception |
Tonga Tourism Office, Fa’onelua |
|
9 July 2017 |
7pm |
ONE TONGA |
tbc |