By Tupou Vaipulu Jr

Celebratiing the King's Birthday today, thousands of perople gathered in the Nuku’alofa CBD to watch the Heilala Pageant float parade and brass bands.

Friday 4 July is a public holiday in Tonga for the official birthday of King Tupou VI.

The current Miss Heilala, Rachel Guttenbeil was joined by the visiting Miss Pacific Islands, Litara Allan, and Miss Cook Islands, Ngatepaeru Marie Maoate.

The sevent contestants for the Miss Heilala crown (with the winner to be announced tonight) joined float parade.

The parade saw a large turn-up from locals and other ethnic communities in the country, with China and Japan joining in this year’s float parade.

The float parade started at St Andrew High School and ended at the Taufa’ahau Wharf led by HMAF Brass Band.