ENB prepares for festival

By ABIGAIL APINA
PEOPLE in Rabaul town, East New Britain, are gearing up for the Frangipani Festival to mark the Twin Eruptions and the country’s independence.
Festival committee representative Susie McGrade said last year the festival only included a traditional float parade by business houses showcasing culture, their trade and merchandise with the theme “Frangipani Come Alive”.
She said that was because there was no major ash fall experienced in the province last year compared to the past 15 years.
McGrade said last year there was a float parade of 160 vehicles in Rabaul town.
She said this year they were expecting more fun as they had planned for other activities apart from the annual float parade.
McGrade said the festival’s theme would be “Frangipani Queen” because Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her diamond jubilee this year and it was proper that the people recognised that in a local setting since Papua New Guinea was a Commonwealth country.
She said the criteria was simple and registration for the contestants was free as businesses and other stakeholders had been urged to dress up their queens in their best traditional attire in the float parade.
Rabaul town manager Freddy Lemeki said this year’s festival was expected to be bigger as it would be a two-day affair over Sept 15-16.
He said the Rabaul administration had thrown in financial support to ensure the festival took place without a hitch.
Lemeki said other districts had been urged to celebrate the twin eruptions anniversary with them in Rabaul town.
McGrade confirmed the festival would begin on Sept 15 with the float parade, crowning of Miss Frangipani, musical performances by local artists in the province and end with an Independence Day dedication on Sunday, followed by choir and gospel performances.