Tourism holds festival events on Tongatapu [1]
Wednesday, June 30, 2021 - 20:50. Updated on Thursday, July 1, 2021 - 09:28.
By Eleanor Gee
A singing competition, block party, food festival, float parade, and the One Tonga concert, are some of the events on the Ministry of Tourism’s festival calendar starting this week in Tongatapu.
The Ministry has been exempted from Tonga’s COVID-19 restrictions to hold the events allowing crowds get together to enjoy the festival.
However, MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma’u confirmed to Matangi Tonga that while mass gathering is allowed, the night time curfew is still observed.
The decision was made at the National Emergency Management Committee meeting yesterday.
The Ministry of Tourism said in its newsletter circulated earlier this week that they are holding events to “help lighten up the situation that the world is facing at this time”.
Normally, the annual Heilala Festival Week is held before the King's Birthday but this year it will be the Tourism Industry and Cultural Festival.
The festival started with the Hiva Kakala Competition on June 28.
The events are listed below:
|
Date |
Event |
Venue |
Time |
|
30 June |
Hiva Kakala Competition (Vahe Loto District), |
‘Atele Indoor Stadium |
7pm |
|
1 July |
Hiva Kakala Competition (Nuku’alofa District), |
Queen Salote Memorial Hall |
6pm |
|
2 July |
Block Party & Food Festival |
Taufa’ahau & Mateialona Rds intersection, and Taufa’ahau & Vuna Rds intersection |
6pm |
|
3 July |
Kayak / Canoe Parade |
Taufa’ahau Wharf to Vuna Wharf |
10am |
|
4 July |
One Tonga Glorifying God in Song Concert |
Queen Salote Memorial Hall |
6pm |
|
5 July |
Family Fun Fair |
Bus Stops (From Hahake / Hihifo to Vaiola Bus Stop) |
9am |
|
Float Parade |
Kolisi Pule’anga to Taufa’ahau Domestic Wharf |
12pm |
|
|
6 July |
Best Housemaid & Best Floral Arrangement |
Little Italy |
10am |
|
7 July |
Chef of the Year Competition & Best Bartender of the Year |
Waterfront Lodge |
10am |
|
Multi-Cultural Night |
Queen Salote Memorial Hall |
6pm |
|
|
8 July |
Tonga Made Handicrafts & Showcasing |
Digicel Square |
9am |
|
Tourism Talent Night |
Queen Salote Memorial Hall |
6pm |
|
|
9 July |
Tonga Made Handicrafts & Showcasing |
Digicel Square |
9am |
|
Kakala Garland Showcase |
Queen Salote Memorial Hall |
10am |
|
|
Thank you Reception |
Tonga National Centre |
6pm |
|
|
10 July |
Tonga Made Handicrafts & Showcasing |
Digicel Square |
9am |
|
One Tonga – Kid Fit |
Pangai Lahi |
tbc |