Photos by Linny Folau and Eleanor Gee.

A colourful Heilala floats parade on Taufa'ahau Road attracted hundreds of people lining the roads in the Nuku'alofa CBD on July 4, a public holiday to mark King Tupou VI's 60th birthday, and happily without the rain that had caused cancellation of some events over the last few days.

The floats included some of the 2019 Miss Heilala contestants and their supporters with brass bands, local groups, dancing youths, businesses and government ministries on show.

The Ministry of Infrastructure paraded an aircraft, a rescue liferaft vessel and heavy trucks.

A fun fair held on the waterfront with barbeques and jumping castle for the children was popular.

The sun came out just in time for the colourful float parade, after wet overcast and windy weather has dampened festivities  in the capital since the start of the week.

The Miss Heilala Talent competition was held last night at the Queen Salote Hall with the top six finalists announced, in random order:

• Miss S& S Trading USA - Yehenara Soukop
• Miss Apraxus Radio Waves of the Pacific- Tangi ‘a Tonga Latu
• Miss Makahokovalu- Seletute Kinikini
• Miss Bou Sports- Lesieli Tonga Kafa
• Miss Tonga Australia 2019- Anna Ma’ilei
• Miss Apraxus 2019- Jeanavieve Pome'e

The new Miss Heilala 2019 will be announced and crowned tonight during a ball.