Games, extra flights set for Tinian Hot Pepper Festival

A full weekend of games and competition is set for 18th Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival on March 11-13, 2022.

File photo shows Ricardo Carrazco of the United States chomping his way through 100 “donne sali” peppers on Feb. 13, 2021, to win first place in the Hot Pepper Eating Contest (Male Category) during the 17th Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival in San Jose, Tinian. (MVA)

The festival will have a soft opening from 6am to 11pm on Friday, March 11, at the Fiesta Grounds in San Jose, Tinian, adjacent to Jones Beach. On Saturday and Sunday, March 12 and 13, live entertainment and competitions will be held from 5am to 11pm.

Competitions for Saturday include the preliminary rounds of the beach volleyball tournament and hot pepper eating for women. Competitions for Sunday include the championship round of the Beach Volleyball Tournament, “estufao” (very spicy chicken) cooking, “umang” (hermit crab) race for children, tug of war, sack race, “mwar” (floral head lei) making, hot pepper eating for men, and cha-cha. Vendors will also compete for the best decorated booth.

The festival, affectionately knowns as “Pika Fest” among locals (“pika” means spicy), pays homage to Tinian’s small but famous “donne sali” hot pepper and includes a full weekend of activities including food sales, live entertainment, competitions, arts and crafts sales, and more.

“We’re looking forward to another extraordinary Tinian Hot Pepper Festival this weekend and invite everyone to join us in enjoying the beauty and warmth of the community,” said Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Priscilla M. Iakopo.

Star Marianas Air has announced that they will be adding additional aircraft on the Saipan-Tinian route and extending their scheduled flights during the weekend. On March 11 and 12 the last flights will leave Tinian at 9:30pm. Flights leave Saipan hourly at the top the hour (starting at 8am) and leave Tinian at the bottom of the hour. Reservations are required for any flight departing after 6pm on festival weekend and are also recommended for flights operating within normal business hours from 8am to 5:30pm. Reservations can be made by calling (670) 433-9996/7/8. A shuttle between Tinian International Airport and the festival grounds will be available by calling (670) 2869367. Shuttle service will also be provided between the Port of Tinian and the festival grounds for arriving and departing ferries.

Ferry seats are still available on: March 12, departing Tinian at 12pm and departing Saipan at 4pm; March 13, departing Saipan at 8am and departing Tinian at 6pm; and March 14, departing Tinian at 5pm. The Super Emerald ferry will depart from the Commonwealth Ports Authority dock in Lower Base, passengers and must check in one hour before departure. Thirty- five passengers are allowed per ferry, and household pets are also allowed.

Ferry round trip cost is $15 for ages 3-11, $30 for ages 12 and older, and free for children ages 0-2. For one way, the cost is $10 for ages 3-11, $18 for ages 12 and older, and free for children ages 0-2. Advance ticket purchase is required and will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis. Ticket purchases may be made at the MVA office on Tinian or Saipan. Cash payments only will be accepted.

Exclusive platinum sponsors for this year’s festival are Tan Holdings Corp. and Tan Sui Lin Foundation, gold sponsors are Bank of Guam and IT&E, and bronze sponsor is McDonald’s Saipan. The Pika Fishing Derby silver sponsors are Triple J Bar K and Tinian Shipping Co.

The 50K Pika Bike Race will begin at 6am on March 12 at the Fiesta Grounds. Registration is $40. For a registration form or more information on the 50K Pika Bike Race, contact Alex Gozon at alexgozon@yahoo.com or (670) 234-2665. Registration forms and payment may be submitted at The Bike Shop in Courtney’s Plaza on Beach Road in Chalan Kanoa, Saipan.

Temporary restrooms and showers will be installed at Jones Beach for the use of festival goers and campers.

For more information, contact Tinian Field Operations supervisor Vida Borja at 433-9365 or e-mail at vborja@mymarianas.com or MVA Community Projects specialist Jack Aranda at (670) 664-3200 or email jaranda@mymarianas.com. (MVA)