Vava'u 2010 Regatta attracts 30 yachts

Vava'u 2010 Regatta attracts 30 yachts [1]

Neiafu, Vava'u

Tuesday, September 28, 2010 - 16:59. Updated on Saturday, May 17, 2014 - 18:37.

Photos by Sione Vuki

Vava'u dancers perform a ta'olunga, for the 2010 Vava'u Regatta Festival.

2010 Vava'u Regatta Festival parade in Neiafu.

THE 2010 Vava'u Regatta Festival from September 22-25, attacted 30 yachts, bringing many visitors to Vava'u last week.

Puluno Toke, manager of the Tonga Visitors' Bureau in Vava'u said that the success of the 2010 Vava'u Regatta Festival meant that it could take over from the Vava'u Tourism Week as the major annual tourism festival for Vava'u.

For two days last week on Thursday and Saturday, Hala Fatafehi in central Neiafu was closed to traffic, allowing vendors to set up handicraft and food stalls.

Vava'u dancers perform for the2010 Vava'u Regatta Festival.

Vava'u dancers perform for the 2010 Vava'u Regatta Festival.

Fund and games for visitors at the 2010 Vava'u Regatta Festival.

Yachts gather in Vava'u for the 2010 Vava'u Regatta Festival.

Puluno said that at the opening of the regatta school children marched through central Neiafu, and there were displays of traditional dancing, brass bands and some of the yachties joined in the fun.

He said that the organisers of the event expect the annual event will attract more visitors to Vava'u and they hope that it will expand to include other events.

Visitors on the Neiafu seafront.

Visitors to Neiafu enjoy the regatta fesitval parade.

Neiafu, Vava'u.

Start of the 2010 Vava'u Yacht Regatta.

2010 Yacht Regatta registration in Neiafu.

Neiafu, Vava'u.

Yacht regatta registration in Neiafu.

2010 Yacht Regatta registration in Neiafu.

Outer Islands [2]