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Extra flights for Pika Fest
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Posted on Feb 05 2020
File photo shows the Tinian Hot Pepper Festival as it kicked off last Feb. 15, 2019. This year, the Marianas Visitors Authority and Tinian Mayor’s Office will hold the 16th Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival on Feb. 15-16, 2020, at the Fiesta Grounds in San Jose village on Tinian, adjacent to Kammer Beach. (MVA)
Star Marianas Air, in cooperation with the Marianas Visitors Authority and Tinian Mayor’s Office, will extend its normal hours of operation during the16th Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival slated for Feb. 15-16, 2020
On Feb.15 and 16, scheduled flights will be extended by three hours, with the last flights leaving Tinian at 10:30pm. Flights will leave Saipan hourly at the top of the hour (starting at 7am) and Tinian hourly at the bottom of the hour (starting at7:30am).
The Marianas Visitors Authority’s ferry service between Tinian and Saipan on Feb. 14-17 is already sold out.
The Tinian Hot Pepper Festival will be held at the Fiesta Grounds in San Jose, Tinian, adjacent to Kammer Beach. This year’s major sponsor is IT&E. The festival, affectionately knowns as “Pika Fest” among residents (pika means spicy), pays homage to Tinian’s small but famous donne sali hot pepper. Activities will include dances, bands, and other live entertainment; cooking competitions, indigenous craft sales; and more. Festivalgoers will have the chance to purchase a variety of local dishes, join the umang (hermit crab) races, participate in sports activities, and join the hot pepper eating competition itself.
In addition, the 65K Pika Bike Race on Feb. 15 will begin at 6am. To register or for more information, contact Dawn Sarmiento at dawnsarmiento@yahoo.com or Alex Gozon at alexgozon@yahoo.com.
Air service between Saipan and Tinian is provided by Star Marianas and takes 15 minutes. Airport shuttle will be offered by the MVA to and from the festival site. Accommodations are available at Tinian Ocean View, Lorilynn’s Hotel, Tinian Street Motel, Fleming Hotel, Green Lion House Hotel, and the Marpo Valley Inn. Free camping is available at Kammer Beach, Taga Beach (toilets, barbecue pits, and outdoor showers available) and at the adjacent Tachogna Beach (toilets, barbecue pits, and indoor showers available).
For more information, contact Tinian field operations supervisor Vida Borja at 433-9365 or email vborja@mymarianas.com or MVA community project specialist Ray Villagomez at 664-3210 or rvillagomez@mymarianas.com. (PR)
