THOUSANDS of spectators gathered at American Memorial Park on Saturday night for the opening of the 13th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden in celebration of May Tourism Month.
Sales were brisk for food, art and craft vendors as eager community members fell in long lines to try their specialties.
Two power outages, the first one lasting for about 30 minutes and the second for less than five minutes, did not stop the festivities.
“A lot of people who were in line to buy food went away when the lights went out but they were back as soon as the power went back. Some stayed and continued their transactions aided with flashlights,” a food vendor told the Variety.
All tables were filled as the crowd took advantage of the different dishes local hotels and restaurants offered at very reasonable prices.
Local dancers entertained the crowd, these included the Natibu Band, the Inatuas Cultural Dancers, the Cab Dancers, the Island Warriors, the Pacific Flowers and Nolas Kaligas.
The hotdog eating contest has two categories: 18 years old and under, and adult.
The first heat was held for the 18 and under category at 8 p.m. and contestants were required to finish two hotdogs. Simon Necesito won the $50 first prize, followed by Kai Shiano who won $30, and Daniel Mafnas who won $20 for placing third.
For the adult category, Raymond Jonathan Emui won $50 for finishing three hotdogs first, followed by Ramon Rejano who won the $30 second prize. Craig Froehlich, a visitor from Burke, Virginia, finished third and received $20..
This coming Saturday night, participants are urged to join the Hot Soba Eating Contest.
For more information, call Frank Tudela at 664-3200/1 or email [email protected].
