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Resorts throughout the Kingdom of Tonga provide their guests with fascinating cultural dance performances like this one. Watching is only half the fun because feasting is the other part of what is known in Tonga as a fiefia.
Every July 4th sees Tonga's Royal marching band leading the King's birthday parade. Loyal subjects and visitors alike align Nuku'alofa's Vuna and Taufa'ahau roads to cheer. Not far behind come floats adorned with Miss Heilala contestants to join the fun.
This year's top four in the Miss Heilala Pageant, like their predecessors, competed in overseas and outer-island pageants to qualify for their final quest for glory.
The reigning Miss Heilala will represent Tonga in the Miss South Pacific Pageant, held regionally.
One of the many things visitors travelling to Tonga remark about is it's ancient culture; highly visible in daily lifestyles and notably in full force during important celebrations. Ancient Polynesian pride abounds during the King's birthday celebrations, which span the week encompassing the 4th of July. Sports, song and dance competitions dot the week-long affair, which culminates in the crowning of Miss Heilala who will reign for a year.
An award-winning Miss Heilala float carries a former Miss Ha'apai along Vuna road in Nuku'alofa.
