The Chairman of the Heilala Committee, Semisi Sika, today reaffirmed the joint efforts by the Ministry of Tourism and the Tonga Tourist Association to put on a fantastic and fun festival to celebrate the King's Birthday on August 1.

They plan to reintroduce the National Music Festival, founded by the Tonga National Music Committee, as well a traditional Tongan dance floorshow competition. There will also be the regular activities including a block party, and a hip hop competition and the Heilala Beauty Pageant events.

Semisi said that these activities over three or four weeks during July-August has always attracted visitors to Tonga, "especially overseas Tongans, so it is a good time to be in Tonga for the festival."

The tentative schedule for events include:

Wednesday July 8, evening, Miss Galaxy.

Thursday July 9,

9:00 a.m. Liahona/Alumni Expo, Venue: Heilala Village, Downtown Nuku'alofa;

8:00 p.m. Final - Up with the Stars, Venue: Heilala Village;

Evening, Miss Galaxy.

Friday July 10,

6:00 p.m. Liahona/Saineha Alumni Block Party;

8:00 p.m. Liahona/Saineha Alumni Talent Show;

Evening, Miss Galaxy.

Saturday July 11, 8:00 p.m. Five Star 7s (Day One).

Monday July 13, Public Holiday

Liahona/Saineha Alumni Float Parade;

10:00 p.m. Five Star 7s Final.

Tuesday July 14,

Morning, Liahona/Saineha Alumni Celebration, Venue: Liahona;

10:00 a.m. Handicraft Exhibitions (Opening), Venue: Heilala Village, Downtown Nuku'alofa;

7:00 p.m. Heilala Music Festival (Teen Solo and Small Group), Venue: Heilala Village.

Wednesday July 15,

AM Liahona/Saineha Alumni Celebration, Venue: Liahona;

9:00 a.m. Handicraft Exhibitions, Venue: Heilala Village;

7:00 p.m. Heilala Music Festival (Teen Solo & Love Duet), Venue: Heilala Village.

Thursday July 16,

AM Liahona/Saineha Alumni Celebration, Venue: Liahona;

9:00 a.m. Handicraft Exhibitions, Venue: Heilala Village;

7:00 p.m. Heilala Music Festival (Kalapu Kava Tonga - Hiva Fa'u/Hiva Tu'utu'uni), Venue: Heilala Village;

Evening, Rulers of Hip Hop Competition.

Friday July 17,

AM Liahona/Saineha Alumni Celebration, Venue: Liahona;

9:00 a.m. Handicraft Exhibitions, Venue: Heilala Village;

7:00 p.m. Heilala Music Festival (GPS Group Song and Children Solo), Venue: Heilala Village.

Saturday July 18,

AM Liahona/Saineha Alumni Celebration, Venue: Liahona;

Sunday July 19,

AM Liahona/Saineha Alumni Celebration, Venue: Liahona;

Monday July 20,

2:00 p.m. Heilala Festival 2009 Pageant Orientation, Venue: Heilala Village;

6:00 p.m. Music Festival Final.

Tuesday July 21-Saturday 25,  : Miss Heilala Contestants Rehearsal Week.

Tuesday July 21,

9:00 a.m. Handicraft Exhibitions, Venue: Heilala Village;

7:00 p.m. Cultural Evening (Mako, Tau'olunga Tokolahi, Tau'olunga Tuifio (Group Mix), Venue: Heilala Village;

Wednesday July 22,

9:00 a.m. Handicraft Exhibitions, Venue: Heilala Village;

6:00 p.m. Heilala Music Festival Final, Venue: Heilala Village;

Thursday July 23,

9:00 a.m. Handicraft Exhibitions, Venue: Heilala Village;

7:00 p.m. Cultural Evening (Miss Heilala Tau'olunga Junior and Mr. Heilala Tulafale Junior Competitions and

Contemporary Group Dance), Venue: Heilala Village;

Friday July 24,

6:00 p.m. Heilala Festival Block Party, Venue: Taufa'ahau Road (Shoreline to Post Office intersections).



Sunday July 26,

10:00 a.m. Church Service, FWC Centenary Church (Miss Heilala Contestants);

6:00 p.m. Heilala Festival Po Hiva.

Monday July 27,

10:00 a.m. Miss Heilala Pre-Pageant Interview, 1st Judging Event, Venue: TBA;

7:00 p.m. Screening of "My Lost Kainga" featuring Caroline Makakaufaki, Venue: Heilala Village, Downtown Nuku'alofa

Rulers of Hip Hop Finals, Venue: Heilala Village;

Tuesday July 28,

9:00 a.m. Handicraft Exhibitions, Venue: Heilala Village;

8:00 p.m. Miss Heilala Tau'olunga, 2nd Judging Event, Venue: Heilala Village;

Wednesday July 29,

9:00 a.m. Handicraft Exhibitions, Venue: Heilala Village;

6:00 p.m. Miss Heilala Dress Rehearsal.

Thursday July 30, Miss Heilala Pagant Night

8:00 p.m. Miss Heilala Sarong, Talent, Contemporary Island Creation, Final Judging Event, Crowning of Miss Heilala 2009-10, Venue: Heilala Village.

Friday July 31, Heilala Festival. 2009 Ball

9:00 p.m. Island Ball - Great Band - All Invited - Formal Wear Gets You In, Venue: Queen Salote Memorial Hall.

Saturday August 1, Public Holiday

9:00 a.m. Handicraft Exhibitions, Venue: Heilala Village;

10:00 p.m. Heilala Festival 2009 Float Parade, Venue: Teufaiva Stadium - Taufa'ahau Road - Vuna Road - Tuimatamoana;

Morning, Friendly Islands Triathlon ( 500 swim - 14km bike - 3.3km run).