Liahona and Saineha alumni join Heilala festivities [1]
Thursday, July 16, 2009 - 22:54. Updated on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - 09:56.
Photos by Linny Folau
With a colourful float parade on July 15, the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints for the first time joined in Tonga's annual Heilala Festival.
Organised by the alumni of Liahona and Saineha High Schools, the float parade, featuring the Liahona school band, cheerleaders and colourful floats displaying their green and white school colours, started at the Teufaiva Stadium and worked its way down Hala Taufa'ahau, then along Hala Vuna to Tu'imatamoana Wharf.
The alumni from the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Tonga have been gathering in Nuku'alofa during the past week before the start of their annual ex-students festivities with an exhibition at the Heilala Village on July 15 followed by a block party in the evening.
The Alumni Celebration is continuing daily at the Liahona High School campus until Sunday, July 19.
Music Festival
The Heilala Festival which began on July 8 with the Miss Galaxy Queen Pageant will run until August 1. Festivities continued this week with the Heilala Music Festival and first up were the Adult Solo and Duets Love Song Competition on July 15.
Tonight, July 16 is a Tongan Singing Competition featuring Tongan Kava Clubs followed by the Primary Schools Singing Competition on July 17.
The Music Festival continues on July 20 with the final for the Adult Solo and Duet Love Song followed by a Cultural Evening Competition featuring Tongan dances on July 21.
On July 23 are the Miss Heilala Tau'olunga Junior Competition and Mr Heilala Tulafale Junior at the Heilala Village.
The Rulers of Hip Hop Competition in remembrance of Michael Jackson will dance off at the 'Atele Indoor Stadium on the same evening.
A Heilala Festival Block Party will be held on the evening of July 24 on Taufa'ahau road starting from Queen Salote Memorial Hall to the Post office.
Dance Competition
On July 25 Tonga's Best Dance Crew competition will be held at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall. The Miss Heilala Pageant competition will start on July 27 and run until July 31.
A Tonga Cultural Heritage Exhibition will be held at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre from July 28-30, and a Fiji in Concert will be held on the evening of July 29 at the 'Atele Indoor Stadium.
The final of the Rulers of Hip Hop competition will be held on the evening of July 31.
Rounding up the festivities is the Heilala Float Parade on August 1.
Triathlon
A Friendly Islands Triathlon of swimming, running and biking will also be held on July 31.