Holiday Music Festival includes a Christmas Swap Meet

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Commerce Department is inviting the public to come out this evening to the Veterans Memorial Center for the Christmas Swap Meet, saying that there is — “Nothing better than evening shopping at the Christmas Festival” from 4p.m to 9p.m.

Christmas caroling is ongoing through Saturday as the 45th Annual Holiday Music Festival continues with performances from village and church choirs during the American Samoa Arts Council’s portion of the nightly caroling.

Some of the Poloa Methodist Church Youth members smile for the Samoa News camera after their performance on the first night of the American Samoa Arts Council’s portion of the 45th Annual Holiday Music Festival at the Veterans Memorial Center in Tafuna. [photo: Julie Pau’u]

In the meantime, Gov. Lemanu P. S Mauga expressed his appreciation to all government agencies that participated on the first three nights of the 45th Annual Holiday Music Festival.

In a Dec. 07 memorandum to cabinet directors, the governor said that “Lieutenant Governor Talauega Eleasalo V. Ale and I wish to extend a heartfelt appreciation to members of the Cabinet and all ASG employees for their participation in the ASG Holiday Music Festival” held the evenings of Dec. 4-6.

According to the governor, the performances by the departments, agencies, and authorities were inspiring and helped spread the Christmas spirit throughout the territory.

Lemanu and Talauega also thanked everyone involved for “the amazing Christmas tree display” in front of the A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building, as well as the Christmas lights and decorations around each government building and around the island.

“This is a time to reflect on God's faithfulness and the promise of His love and grace. Let us continue to count our blessings and may we never forget that Jesus is the reason for the season,” the governor said.

“Thank you all for bringing Christmas cheer to the most wonderful time of the year,” Lemanu told cabinet directors.

For the Arts Council portion of this year’s 45th Annual Holiday Music Festival, some 24 groups representing churches, schools, villages and other youth groups are on the program to perform. Their first night of caroling was on Wednesday evening this week.

Some members of the CCCAS Fagaalu Youth pose for a Samoa News photo before taking the stage on Wednesday evening during the first night of the American Samoa Arts Council’s portion of the 45th  Annual Holiday Music Festival at the Veterans Memorial Center in Tafuna. [photo: Julie Pau’u]

There was also a Christmas Swap Meet on Wednesday night, and there will be a second one tonight, with many vendors selling a wide range of goods — many of which are perfect Christmas gifts.

The Arts Council program concludes tomorrow, with six choirs and closing remarks to be delivered by the Lt. Governor.

ASG security officers were present on Wednesday on the first night of the American Samoa Arts Council’s portion of the 45th Annual Holiday Music Festival at the Veterans Memorial Center in Tafuna [photo: Julie Pau’u]

Meanwhile, the village of Nu’uuli opens its third annual Christmas program this evening at the road to Coconut point, and vendors will also be there for the opening night.

Christmas lights and other holiday displays will remain in place throughout the holiday season. You’re invited to take a slow evening drive through our village Christmas celebrations.

Some members of the Lauli’i Catholic Choir smile for the Samoa News camera after their performance on the first night of the American Samoa Arts Council’s portion of the 45th Annual Holiday Music Festival at the Veterans Memorial Center in Tafuna. [photo: Julie Pau’u]