MVA says Pika Festival was huge success

Screengrab shows participants in the JC Pikalicious Burger Eating Contest trying to outdo each other in eating a hamburger laced with Tinian’s signature “donne sale” (hot pepper) during the last day of the 18th Annual Tinian Pika Festival yesterday. The last day of the three-day festival also included the Tug of War contest and Estofao Cooking contest. (OFFICE OF THE MAYOR OF TINIAN AND AGUIGUAN)

The 18th Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival was a huge hit, with hundreds of visitors from neighboring islands making the trip to Tinian over the weekend to partake in the island’s most anticipated festival.

According to Priscilla Iakopo, Marianas Visitors Authority managing director, this year’s festival was a major hit and despite the ongoing pandemic, visitors from neighboring islands, including the Northern Islands, made the voyage to Tinian.

“The Tinian Hot Pepper ‘Pika’ Festival was a huge success. We had visitors from Guam, Saipan, Rota, Northern Islands, and military service members attended and enjoyed the Pika Fest,” she said. The festival is popularly known locally as the Pika Festival; “pika” means “hot” in the vernacular.

The festival’s bike race, non-stop live entertainment, and various competitions gave festival goers the chance to win hundreds of dollars’ worth of prizes.

In addition, this year, MVA awarded 18 individuals who received their COVID-19 booster shots, up to $7,000.

“The three-day event consisted of the Pika Bike Race, organized by the Bikers Association of Tinian, sponsored by the mayor of Tinian and Aguiguan and the Marianas Visitors Authority. The Pika Fest proceeded with non-stop live entertainment, the hot pepper eating contest, Estufao Katdun Pika cooking contest, JC Cafe Pika Burger contest, Cha Cha Dance contest, and Umang Race. Throughout the three-night event, the MVA gave away up to $7,000 cash prizes to 18 winners, as it is the 18th Annual Pika Fest, for Tinian residents who received their booster shots,” Iakopo said.

This year, MVA also expanded the festival grounds, booked daily charter ferries, and even added an additional night to the festivities.

Star Marianas Air also worked with MVA to add additional flights to accommodate those who wanted to experience the festival.

Iakopo said the success of this year’s 18th Pika Festival would not have been possible without help from volunteers and sponsors.

She also cited the Office of the Governor, Office of the Tinian and Aguiguan Mayor, Tinian Legislative Delegation, Tinian Municipal Council, Commonwealth Ports Authority, Department of Public Safety, Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Department of Lands and Natural Resources, Department of Public Lands, Coastal Resources Management, Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality, Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco Control, and Star Marianas Air “for your support and partnership in making Pika Fest a successful event,” she said.

“Special thanks to our sponsors, Tan Siu Lin Foundation, IT&E, Triple J Bar K, Bank of Guam, JC Cafe, and McDonald’s Saipan for their generous support of the Pika Festival. To all the vendors, thank you for providing all visitors an opportunity to taste your delicious cuisine, beverages and your creative arts and crafts. Your participation is greatly appreciated,” Iakopo added.