THE inaugural Marianas Festival, which will take place on Aug. 23 and 24 in Washington state and Oregon, is a celebration of the heritage and tradition of the Marianas, according to Bertina Grajo, founder of the Marianas Alliance for Growth of Islanders or MAGI, the organization coordinating the event.
Day 1 of the festival is dedicated to cultural knowledge and is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Heritage High School in Vancouver, Washington.
On the agenda for workshops and seminars are coconut weaving, Chamorro dance and chant, mwaar, lighatuttur, traditional jewelry, Chamorro sign language, sling throwing, Chamorro history, traditional pottery and latte stones.
To register, go to www.marianasfestival.com/workshops/.
Space is limited and some sessions were already fully booked as of press time.
Day 2 will be held at Blue Lake Regional Park in Fairview, Oregon from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. It features cultural dancers, musical entertainment, an auto show, beer garden, craft vendors, hands-on exhibitors, state program resources and more.
Grajo said the idea for the festival was sparked by a combination of “personal experiences, community needs, and a deep desire to make a lasting impact on the Marianas community in the Pacific Northwest.”
In 2015, Grajo owned the Marianas Food Truck in Beaverton, Oregon, and was frequently asked to plan big Labor Day gatherings, which “planted the seed for a larger community event,” she said.
She was also a Ph.D. student who aimed to discover how well state programs designed for Pacific Islanders were being utilized, as well as any barriers or stigma affecting their use.
She formed MAGI after these experiences, realizing she wanted to provide “support and unity” for the Marianas community in the Pacific Northwest.
“At the Marianas Festival, attendees will not only experience our rich culture but also have access to over 15 resources, including free immunizations, environmental health information, preschool programs, behavioral health services, financial literacy education, and much more,” Grajo said. “Most of these resources are hosted and run by indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian people, ensuring that our community’s needs are met in culturally relevant ways.”
She wants the festival to be “more than just a gathering.”
“It’s about connecting people, passing down traditions, and fostering a sense of pride and belonging among our growing diaspora,” Grajo said. “Additionally, we want the festival to serve as a platform for community empowerment and resource access.”
Grajo said there’s a regional gap in representation for the Micronesian community, and that the Marianas Festival is a “long time coming” for Chamorros and Carolinians.
“The Pacific Northwest is seeing a growing population of Chamorro and Refaluwasch people, making it essential to create a platform where our community can come together to celebrate and preserve our unique cultural heritage,” she said. “The Marianas Festival marks the first-ever event of its kind in the [Pacific Northwest], bringing together our people to share our traditions, values, and identity.”
In Chamorro, she added, “Anggen ti hita, pues håyi?” — “if not us, then who?”
For more details, visit the events website, www.marianasfestival.com/.
