Tonga Day Festival again enlivens Gateway Discovery Park

INCLUDES COLORFUL CULTURAL VIDEO | See what new life this year’s celebration, held in outer East Portland, brought to this Hazelwood neighborhood park …

In Gateway Discovery Park, the 2024 Tonga Day Festival attracts hundreds of revelers to celebrate Tongan culture.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

The sound of rhythmic music and the aroma of cooking food filled the air as the 2024 Tonga Day Festival returned on Saturday afternoon, August 17, in the Hazelwood neighborhood – specifically, in Gateway Discovery Park.

The festival – that organizers promised would present genuine a Tongan heritage experience, through cultural performances, live music, community, and food – certainly delivered in every way.

About to go on stage for their dance performance are these members of Siasi Tonga Cauataina.

Pausing for a photo, it’s the Tonga Day organizer – Tongan Community Representative Kolini Fusitu’a.

“Today is the day that we reserve to celebrate our Tongan society and way of life,” Tongan Community Representative Kolini Fusitu’a remarked to East Portland News. “This is the place and this is the time where we showcase our culture, our history, and our contribution to Oregon.”

Experience Tongan culture for yourself in this exclusive video of 2024 Tonga Day Festival.

“And, this is also a time for community education, when we teach – by showing everyone else, who isn’t Tongan – about who we are, where we are from, and the things that are important to us as a people,” continued Fusitu’a. “Just as important, at this celebration we also pass on our culture to our children. We want our young people to be proud of their heritage.”

Tongan community elders and honored guests have a front-row seat, as cultural performances continue.

As is the Tongan tradition, dancers in this group are showered with money as they perform.

After greetings and speeches by both Tongan personalities and elected officials, the cultural entertainment began. Not only did Tongan groups perform, but other groups demonstrated dances from Hawai’i, Polynesia, and the Pacific Islands.

All kinds of Tongan merchandise is offered at booths at the festival.

Prepared to serve Tongan dishes are volunteers David and Lote.

Another performing group lines up, reading to dance on stage.

“The best part of this, for me, is seeing multi-generation Tongan families coming together, sharing meals, and enjoying the music and cultural presentations,” observed Fusitu’a. “Whether you’re from Tonga, or a neighboring island nation, or you’re just from Gresham, I’m so happy to see the smile on your face when you celebrate with us!”

© 2024 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™

 

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