BURNABY – Jai Fiji TV and Bula! Association of BC hosted the 9th annual Fiji Festival at the Swangard Stadium Burnaby Saturday July 23rd.
The festival kicked off with blessings from multiple religious groups followed by “carnival” performances and soccer matches.
Around 1:00pm, dignitaries started arriving and were accorded the traditional Yaqona ceremony officiated by Raj Kumar. The dignitaries’ rep, Burnaby Acting Mayor, Paul McDonnell, reciprocated the ceremonial invite and was served the first bowl of yaqona. Other dignitaries had their “bilo” of yaqona as well.
Vincent Puran Prakash, the President of Bula! Fiji Association of BC, welcomed the dignatories and recognized the major sponsors, City of Burnaby, Airpacific, and R&R Cabinets. He also thanked the artists, volunteers and event coordinators.
It has become a Fiji Festival custom for dignitaries to gyrate after a bilo of yaqona, this year the gyrations were led by Burnaby Acting Mayor Mcdonell, Burnaby Councilors, MLS’a , MP’s and Ray Baleikasavu, first Secretary Embassy of Fiji, Washington DC. Dignitaries were then entertained by a traditional Fijian dances
The festival included various stalls ranging from food, to consumer durable items to very high end electronics.
Soccer Winners
Soccer Winner Nadroga
Runner up Naitasiri
Other Participants Lautoka and Rewa
The organizers are pleased with the excellent turnout at the event and congratulate all winners, thank all participants and hope to see all again at Fiji Festival 2012
