The Heilala Festival has been set for two weeks, starting in the last week of June. Held under the theme, “My Kingdom, My Pride, Ko hoku Tonga, Ko hoku laukau’anga”, events are being organised in a tentative program released by the Ministry of Tourism, including the popular Miss Heilala Pageant.

The Heilala festival is held annually to celebrate the official birthday of King Tupou VI, marked on 4 July. The King will be 65 years old this year.

The festival starts on 24 June with an industry competition for best floral arrangement and cultural floorshow competition.

Events scheduled for 25 June include Chef of the Year, and Tonga’s Got Talent.

A Bartender of the Year contest, and a Cultural singing competition are confirmed.

The popular Miss Heilala pageant starts on 29 June.

The two weeks program will include entertainment by local artists.

Programme

• 24 June: Best Floral arrangement and Heilala Cultural Floorshow competition.
• 25 June: Chef of the Year and Tonga Got Talent.
• 26 June: Bartender of the Year and Cultural singing competition.
• 27 June: Lalanga Kato competition and Acts Community school cultural night.
• 28 June: Tourism poem competition and Cultural dance competition - Junior Miss Tau’olunga
• 29 June: Heilala Food Festival & Family fun fair, Heilala Float Parade, and Heilala pageant contestants welcome reception.
• 1 July: Miss Heilala 1st judging event - Pre-pageant interview, Miss Heilala 2nd Judging event - Stage introduction / On stage interview.
• 2 July: Miss Heilala 3rd judging event - Sarong wear.
• 3 July: Miss Heilala 4th judging event - Teunga Tau’olunga, Miss Heilala 5th judging event - Tau’olunga.
• 4 July: Tutupanakava / Tongan torch evening, Miss Heilala 6th judging event - Talent.
• 5 July: Miss Heilala Crowning and Ball, and One Tonga Block Party.
• 6 July: Open Entertainment evening - Marching bands display, Body builders display, and more.