Tonga's annual Heilala Festival will be held on new date this year from July 21-29 to join in with the celebrations of the Coronation of HM King George V.

The Heilala Festival, used to be held before the July 4 birthday of the late King Tupou IV, but last year the festival was moved to June 30-July 13 to celebrate Crown Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka's birthday on July 12.

This year the dates will be moved again.

The Ministry of Tourism this week released the program for the festival. Contestants for the Miss Heilala Pageant Orientation will meet on Monday, July 21 followed by a welcome reception on the evening of Tuesday, July 22.

For the public the festival starts with a Cultural Evening of Tongan dance, including the mako, tau'olunga and couples' tau'olunga on Wednesday, July 23 aat 7 pm, followed by a Miss Heilala Tau'olunga Junior competition and Mr Heilala Tulafale Junior.

On Thursday, July 24 the first judging event for the pageant will be the Miss Heilala Tau'olunga competition.

A block party on Taufa'ahau Road in the Central Business District will be held on the evening of Friday, July 25.

On Saturday, July 26 the Heilala Float Parade will be begin at 1:00pm from the Teufaiva Outdoor Stadium to Tu'imatamoana Market at Ma'ufanga.

On Sunday July 27 a Heilala Festival Songs of Praise Evening on Sunday will be held in downtown Nuku'alofa.

Miss Heilala

The Miss Heilala Pre Pageant Interview, the second judging event of the pageant will he held on the morning of Monday, July 28 at the Janful International Dateline Hotel followed by a Heilala Festival Variety show at 7:00pm.

The Miss Heilala Pageant Finale Night will be held on Tuesday, July 29 with the final judging events of the Miss Heilala Sarong, Talent and Contemporary Island Creation held before the new Miss Heilala 2008-09, is crowned.

Semisi Sika, the Festival Director of the Tonga Tourist Association, said the Executive members wanted to move the festival to the new dates so their programs are held as a lead-up to the Coronation celebrations that start on July 30.

Prior to that various Coronation sports events organised by the Ministry of Training, Employment Youth and Sports will be held on June 26.