6 top balloon-popping contest at Taste of Marianas

Twenty individuals signed up for a balloon-popping competition last Saturday as the 2014 Taste of Marianas entered its third week. In the end, only six emerged victorious in the two balloon-popping competitions.

The first competition was for ages 14-and-under; 10 children entered the competition.

In this competition, contestants were to explode as many balloons as they can by sitting on them. Inside every balloon was a piece of paper and, among the dozens of balloons, only three pieces of paper held the possible winners.

After nearly a 10-minute sit-and-pop competition, the winners were Miku Kimura, Maya Shimizu, and Miles Timmons.

The second competition was for ages 15 and up and was much harder this time around. All 10 contestants had five uninflated balloons in front of them. They were required to blow the balloon and then pop them.

After a non-stop bout of inhaling and exhaling and pain in the contestants’ mouths, three also emerged victorious, all of them women. In first place was Wheng Javan, in second place was Rustine Kate Valino, and in third place was Ezeth Smith.

Both competitions had prizes for first place, which was $30 worth of Taste of the Marianas tokens, $20 for second, and $10 for third.

Marianas Visitors Authority marketing manager Bruce Bateman said the tokens could either be exchanged for tokens or cash.

The three young winners of the competition said they would redeem the tokens and give it to their friends to buy food. Kimura also won in the first week of Taste of the Marianas in the hotdog eating competition where she came in third place.

Wheng Javan who won first place in the ages 15-and-up category said it was fun and her lips were hurting.

MVA community projects assistant Ryan Calvo, who coordinated the competitions for the past three weeks, said the balloon-popping contest was the last event for the public to get involved in. Next week’s competition is the bartender challenge. Details will soon be out for the bartender competition.

Bateman said he had a blast being the announcer and it felt like he was in the World Wrestling Federation.

“MVA is blessed to be able to host a fine event and help visitors and this event is one of the best things and I’d like to recognize the staff of the American Memorial Park and Division of Parks and Recreations for making the place look good,” Bateman said.