If you’ll be on Guam in the month of May and love traditional Chamorro dishes from Guam then don’t miss out on the Maila ta fan Boka Festival which is scheduled to take place in the month of May.  The Chamorro phrase “maila ta fan boka” means “come and let’s eat” in English – a suitable name for the festival which will be showcasing traditional dishes from the island of Guam.  The festival is scheduled to coincide with Tourism Month on Guam, which is the month of May.  It is sponsored by the Guam Visitors Bureau along with the Guam Community College, the Micronesian Chefs Association, and GHRA (Guam Hotel and Restaurants Association).   The actual date for the festival hasn’t been announced yet, but the tentative dates for the festival will be either on May 6 to 8, or May 20 to 22.  We’ll be posting more information about the festival as it becomes available so keep coming back for more announcements concerning the Maila ta fan Boka Festival 2010.

Tags: chamorro food, Food, ghra, guam festival, guam food festival, guam hotel and restaurants association, guam visitors bureau, gvb, maila ta fan boka, maila ta fan boka festival, micronesian chefs association

If your on island between October 16-18, 2009 mark your calendars for the 22nd Guam Micronesia Island Fair which is hosted by the Guam Visitors Bureau at Ypao Beach Park in Tumon.  The theme of the 22nd Guam Micronesia Island Fair is “Celebrating Our Building Traditions” with traditional hut builders erecting a Chamorro Hut in the park as well as a traditional Kosrae cooking house.

Various islands around the Marianas and Micronesia  (Saipan, Rota, Yap, Chuuk, Tinian, Palau, and many more…) will be participating in this year’s fair sharing their culture, arts, crafts, and traditions for those people who come to participate in the Micronesia Island Fair.  In addition, there will be cultural performances, various products for sale, and a showcase of outrigger canoes by TASI, a non-profit group whose mission is to preserve the knowledge and art of traditional Pacific island navigation.

So if your interested in learning more about the culture and traditions of the Micronesian people and the Marianas come join the island at Ypao Beach Park from October 16-18.

Tags: 22nd guam micronesia island fair, 22nd micronesia island fair, chamorro hut, Culture, guam micronesia island fair, guam micronesian island fair, guam products, guam visitors bureau, gvb, micronesia culture, micronesia island fair, micronesian island fair, tasi, traditions about seafaring islands, tumon, ypao beach park

Today marks the 65th Liberation Day of Guam, and Guam Portal would like to wish everyone on Guam a Happy Liberation Day!  If you haven’t already done so you should stop by Paseo Park and check out the Liberation Day Carnival or head on over towards the Hagatna area along Marine Drive to watch the Liberation Day Parade!

Everyone have a safe and happy holiday!

Tags: 2009 liberation day guam, guam carnival, guam liberation, guam liberation carnival, guam liberation day, guam liberation day parade, liberation day, liberation day carnival, liberation day guam, liberation day on guam, liberation day parade

The 2009 Liberation Day Carnival opens tomorrow at Paseo Park in Hagatna in celebration of the 65th Annual Liberation of Guam and will run through August 2, 2009.  Participants can expect a fun and exciting night filled with amusement rides, games, food, local Chamorro arts and crafts, and entertainment from local Guam bands and artists.  This year’s carnival will be more focused on showcasing the culture of the island in a more family-friendly atmosphere.

If your visiting the island, Guam’s Liberation Day Carnival is one event you should experience at least once while your here.  You’ll be able to enjoy Chamorro food, experience Guam’s culture, and meet friendly people from Guam.  The Liberation Day Carnival is one of the largest events held yearly on the island of Guam and everyone from the island usually visits the carnival at least once during the few weeks it is open.

Hours for Guam’s 2009 Liberation Day Carnival are:
Monday to Thursday: 6pm-12am
Friday: 6pm-2am
Weekends, July 4, and July 21: 2pm-12am

Tags: 2009 liberation day carnival, Culture, Events, guam carnival, guam event, guam liberation, guam liberation day, guam liberation day carnival, liberation day carnival

Pa’a Taotao Tano will be holding its 7th Annual Dinana Minagof Chamorro Dance Competition and Festival on June 27-28 between 9am-5pm at the Sister Roberta Center, Mercy Heights in Perezville, Tamuning.  The event will feature traditional Chamorro cultural groups from the islands of Guam, Saipan, Rota and Tinian who will be competing in various dance categories for prizes.

In addition there will be special daily performances by ‘Ko Au’, a cultural performance group from New Zealand; and local Chamorro arts and crafts will be displayed and available for purchase.

Admission into the event is $10 for adults and $5 for children who are 12 and younger.  There is also a group pass which is good for up to 4 people for only $20.

Tags: chamorro arts, chamorro culture, chamorro dance, guam dance, paa taotao tano

The Taste of Guam food and beverage festival is being held today at the Hyatt Regency Guam between 5pm to 10pm and is open to everyone.  If you love food or just want to experience Guam’s local cuisine from popular restaurants and chefs from around the island you can’t miss this event.  This is only the second year in which the Taste of Guam is being held and it seems to be growing in popularity.  This year there are 23 exhibitors offering dishes, fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables from the Farmer’s Market, live entertainment, and cooking demonstrations by the Micronesian Chef’s Association members.

Admission into the event is free but you will need to purchase at least a $20 booklet of tickets which can be used to buy food and drinks from the various vendors at the event.

Tags: chamorro food, chamorro recipe, Food, guam recipe, taste of guam

The village of Agat will be hosting the 3rd Annual Mango Festival at Nimitz Beach Park between June 26-28, 2009 for the entire island of Guam to participate.  There will be a number of events, activities, food vendors, exhibits, and entertainment throughout the three day festival for everyone to enjoy.

Some of the highlighted events include the 5k Mango Run/Walk which takes place on Saturday June 20th, the Little Miss & Mister Mango Festival on June 27th, a paddle race on the 27th and 28th, and a mango cookoff.  In addition there will be a number of vendors serving food which incorporate the mango in one way or another in the dishes.  This is just a few of the things going on at the festival so if you would like to experience it all first-hand why not head on over to the village of Agat in southern Guam.  The festival is a great way for tourists and visitors to experience the islands culture and its people.  For more information feel free to check out the festival’s website at: http://www.mangofestivalgu.com

Tags: agat mango festival, guam festival, guam mango festival

Every year Guam celebrates Liberation Day with fireworks, festivities, a parade, and of course the Liberation Carnival at Paseo Park.  Liberation Day is a local holiday which is celebrated on July 21st and is one of the biggest holidays on the island.

Liberation Day celebrates the liberation of the island from Japanese  occupation by American forces during World War II.  The Liberation Day Parade is a one day event where floats, various military branches, personnel, and veterans;  and local community clubs and government officials march down Marine Drive.  The Guam Liberation Carnival will open to the public on June 24 and usually stays open for a few weeks.  Booths and concession stands with games and food make up the carnival;  people can also enjoy various carnival rides as well.

If your vacationing on the island your more than welcome to share in the enjoyment with all the festivities happening around Liberation Day.  Come on down to watch the Liberation Day Parade along Marine Drive on June 21st, watch the fireworks at night, and then make sure to visit the Liberation Carnival at Paseo Park.  Friends, family, tourists, and locals – all are welcome to have some fun!

Tags: guam liberation carnival, guam liberation day, guam liberation fireworks, guam liberation parade

If you have nothing to do this weekend and love surfing your in for a treat! The  “Surf the Basin ‘09″ contest is being held at the Paseo de Susana Statue of Liberty Park, more  popularly known as Hagatna Boat Basin, by major sponsors Monster Energy Drink, GTA Teleguam, and DNA Evolution.

Guam’s best surfers and body boarders will be out there strutting their stuff on Saturday May 2, 2009.  Showtime starts early at 6:30am with the first heat starting at 7:00am.  With this being the third weekend for the surfing contest, the Men’s Surfing Open and Body Boarding Open divisions are taking place.

If you love surfing this is a great activity to check out this weekend;  waves are expected to be in the 4 to 5 foot range for the event.

Tags: guam bodyboard, guam bodyboarding, guam surf, guam surfing, hagatna boat basin