COMMUNITY members gathered at the Tinian Festival Grounds over the weekend to celebrate the 2nd Annual Tinian Beef, Beer, & Bands Festival.
The event featured beef, traditional chasers, entrees, and local cuisines from various vendors, as well as the “Biggest Catch” Fishing Derby, the Tinian Top Chef Cooking Competition, the Cha-Cha Dance Competition, the Beer Garden, the Beer Olympics, live entertainment, and more.
The opening ceremony began at 7 p.m. with the posting of colors by the Tinian Jr./Sr. High School Color Guard and the singing of the national anthem and CNMI hymn by Javie and Janika Decena.
After the opening invocation, Tinian Mayor Edwin P. Aldan delivered welcoming remarks, thanking the administration, the 22nd Tinian Legislative Delegation, the 18th Tinian Municipal Council, the festival’s event planning division, and all festivalgoers for making the event possible.
“It is truly an honor to continue this festival that promotes the island of Tinian’s local, grassfed, and unique cattle industry. This promotion not only encourages an industry, but also provides a unique opportunity to have the Marianas’ grassfed beef be the next economic driver. More importantly, it offers a choice of quality, healthy, and freshly cut meat for residents and visitors,” said Mayor Aldan.
The history of cattle on Tinian dates back to several centuries ago when Spanish missionaries first introduced the animal to the local community for sustainability.
“Today, our local ranchers proudly continue to sustain this cattle industry. They are dedicated individuals who plan to cater to our community with fresh quality beef,” said the mayor.
Sen. Francisco Q. Cruz, the Tinian and Aguiguan Legislative Delegation chair, gave special remarks, thanking the leadership, the Tinian Cattlemen’s Association, the Northern Marianas College’s Cooperative Research, Extension, and Education Services, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the U.S. Department of Commerce for working tirelessly to restore the Tinian beef industry.
Tinian Municipal Council Chair Joseph Santos delivered the closing remarks, followed by a closing benediction.
Local talent and live entertainment continued throughout the first night of the festival and resumed the following day, Saturday.
The “Biggest Catch: Fishing Derby” took place on Saturday, Aug. 13 from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. with Lucky Harvest winning the competition with a 772.5-pound marlin catch.
Beginning at noon on Saturday, the festival featured the First Annual Beer Olympics in which participants drank, competed, and had the opportunity to become a “beer legend.”
Following the “Beerlympics” was the Top Chef Competition at 1 p.m. The participants competed for the title of “Tinian Top Chef.”
More information about the winners will be provided in Variety’s next edition.
Lucky Harvest caught a 772.5-pound marlin to top the 2nd Annual Tinian Beef, Beer and Bands Festival Fishing Derby on Saturday.
