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Planning for Festival of the Pacific Arts going strong
In about eight months, American Samoa’s population will see a big boost when an estimated 2,000-plus performers and artists from over two dozen participating countries will travel to the territory to take part in the 2008 Festival of the Pacific Arts.
Since the announcement that American Samoa will host next year’s big event – the largest one ever to be held in the territory – many people have asked the same question over and over again: “Where is everyone going to stay?”
The answer is simple: American Samoa will not be erecting any new buildings, neither will there be any major construction projects to accommodate the participants traveling from off island.
Instead, participants will be housed at Kanana Fou, Tafuna High School, Tafuna Junior High, and the Tafuna ECE campuses. The named facilities were suggested because they have ample kitchen and cafeteria spaces to accommodate the travelers, with extra bathrooms to be added.
The Office of Procurement is working on acquiring more than 2000 surplus beds from the General Services Administration, and a request has been made to hotel chains in the Aloha State for their cycled out linen.
Delegation leaders, VIPs, and tourists who are traveling here strictly as spectators will be staying at the local hotels.
A home-stay program will be announced early next year, and the committee members will inspect the homes, as well as make a decision on the standard charge.
The Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tafuna is where both the opening and closing ceremonies will be held, while the welcoming traditional ‘ava ceremony will be held at the Malaeoletalu Fagatogo Pavilion.
The Festival village will be in Utulei.
Board members for the Festival held a meeting at the Tradewinds Hotel last night.
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