Annual Pika (Hot Pepper) Festival, Feb. 16 & 17!

“When a heart is on fire, sparks always fly out of the mouth.”


PRESS RELEASE
Tinian to hold hot pepper festival

(MVA) — The annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival will be held on Feb. 16 and 17 at Tachonga Beach on Tinian.

This year’s event is brought to you by the Marianas Visitors Authority, the Tinian Mayors Office and Bridge Investment Group.

The festival is an island-style show that features different kinds of locally prepared dishes as well as arts and crafts that always draws a big crowd. One of the highlights is the hot pepper eating contest which will take place on both days of the festival.

Competitive events this year will include the Katdun Pika —which is where chefs compete for the tastiest local version of spicy chicken — the Hermit Crab Race, the Dragon Boat Rowing where teams of 12 race, beach volleyball, the best booth contest, mwar making, a karaoke contest and the “Do the Cha-Cha Dance.”

This year, a new entertainment will be part of the festival. The Ukulele Wiz Kid, Ryan Imamura, is a 13-year-old boy from Guam who will perform at the festival.

The schedule of events for Saturday includes an opening program. The official kick off of the festival will be at 1 p.m. The first day of festivities ends at 10 p.m.

On Sunday, the festival starts with performance of the cultural dancers at 10 a.m. as well as the mwar contest.

If you are traveling from Saipan, Taga Air and Freedom Air fly to Tinian. You may also consider the ferry for transportation to and from Tinian.