Rabaul Frangipani Festival 2016 ends without eruption

by FRANKIY KAPIN

DAY four and the last day of the Frangipani festival ends today in Rabaul town and a big thank you to Mount Tavurvur for keeping quiet.

The volcanic mountain Tavurvur kept quiet over the weekend as over 7 000 people “kibung”-gathered in Rabaul town to witness the Rabaul Historical Society’s Frangipani Festival “Gogo Cola” float parade.

The massive turnout witnessed hundreds of floats promoting this year’s theme “The Coconut Palm – The tree of life. Rabaul came alive like Tavurvur volcano with one of the biggest events on ENB’s events calendar and a big thanks to the Mt Tavurvur for keeping quiet over the past three days,” says Festival Chairwoman Susan Mcgrade.

The four winners of the parade were BSP with the best cultural float, Rabaul town clinic for the best private community float, Agmark Shipping for the most Entertaining Float and ENB Development Corporation (ENBDC) for the best Corporate Float.
The consolation prize went to St Francis Xavier Parish for the replica of the St Francis Xavier Cathedral and special mention to RAMs shipping for their very entertaining input says Ms Mcgrade.

“As this is a purely community based volunteer run event, the organizers of the Rabaul historical society are so thankful for the many sponsors who give to the event year after year so the event can access all programs which are totally free to the public,” she said.

Ms Mcgrade said that the festival tries to incorporate cultural, entertainment and historical content in the hope of highlighting all that is great in and about Rabaul.

She said this is in conjunction with the society’s efforts of keeping history alive and encouraging tourism to Rabaul and ENB.

The festival took place over two Days and included a traditional Tolai Kinavai, a Canoe race around the famous beehives, an Engini Baining Fire Dance, the Fragipani Float Parade and the Mini Warwagira.

Miss Mcgrade thanked her fantastic volunteer committee who had worked hard to put on a very professionally run festival as she looks forward to sponsors and the community alike getting together again next year for Rabaul’s 2017 Frangipani festival.

Source: Post Courier online, 19 September 2016