TINIAN — Are you ready for a festival that is Far From Ordinary? The Tinian Hot Pepper Festival is bringing two days of food, live entertainment, competitions, and arts and crafts to the Fiesta Grounds in San Jose February 13–14.
Organizers said the festival will begin Friday night and continue Saturday morning with the 3rd Annual 5K Pika Fun Run. “Pika Fest” celebrates Tinian’s donni’ sali hot pepper, which organizers say could make this year’s St. Valentine’s Day the hottest ever.
MVA Managing Director Jamika R. Taijeron encouraged visitors planning to travel for President’s Day weekend to book early, noting hotel rooms typically fill up quickly and camping is also an option.
Free camping will be available at Jones Beach and Taga Beach (with toilets, barbecue pits, and outdoor showers), and at Tachogna Beach, about a 10-minute walk away (with barbecue pits, outdoor showers, and toilets).
Those who prefer indoor accommodations can choose from Tinian hotel options that include Bay View Hotel, Flametree Villa, Fleming Hotel, Lorilynn’s Hotel, Lucky Homes Hotel, Marpo Valley Inn, Tinian Ocean View, Tinian Diamond Hotel and Casino, Tinian Diamond Suites, and Tinian Western Lodge Hotel.
MVA Community Projects Manager Martin Duenas said organizers are inviting local companies to participate as sponsors. Sponsorship tiers listed include Exclusive Pika Sponsor ($5,000), Platinum ($3,500), Gold ($2,000), and Silver ($1,000 and below), with sponsor benefits varying by tier.
For more information, contact Tinian Field Operations Supervisor Vida Borja at vborja@mymarianas.com or (670) 433-9365, Sherman Santos at ssantos@mymarianas.com, or the Tinian Mayor’s Office at (670) 433-1802.
