American Samoa Flag Day 2011

This week is Flag day week in American Samoa. Where we celebrate the raising of the US Flag in American Samoa, doth naming it American Samoa and becoming a US Territory on April 17, 1900. The event started on April 12, 2011, Tuesday evening at the Malaeoletalu field in Fagatogo, which is the downtown area in American Samoa. The Arts Council of American Samoa starts things off traditionally with 3 to 4 nights of singing and dancing by different youth groups and schools in the territory.

During this week also, there were volleyball tournaments, cricket tournaments and rugby tournaments. The tournament winners will be awarded on the 16th of April on the last day of the Flag day celebrations.

On Friday, was the traditional Fautasi race or "long boat" race.  After the racing, the games and tournaments continue.

On Saturday, the Flag Day parade took place in Fagatogo, downtown.  The ceremony was then moved to Utulei beach where they had performances by different church youth groups and we were also graced with the musical sounds of the Kaneohe Marine Band. 

The prizes for the Fautasi race was given, also for the volleyball, cricket and rugby teams that had won that week.  Although the government was worried about not having enough funds to have flag day celebrations, they should learn from this year, less is always better and it makes the celebration "short and sweet" and not prolonged.