10 contestants confirmed for Hibiscus Festival, no public judging and charity chest

There will be 10 contestants vying for this year’s Miss Hibiscus Festival which will have no Public Judging or Charity Chest.

This was confirmed to fijivillage News by Creative Pageant Director, Andhy Blake who says they will only be having Private Judging.

However, there will be presentations made by the contestants on certain topics that they are preparing for.

Blake says in the past 16 years, the Hibiscus Festival and other Festivals around Fiji have mirrored the South Pacific Pageant, but the Pacific Pageant is now an outdated contest.

He says before, Miss Hibiscus was the Cultural Ambassador for Fiji, and that is what they are looking to bring back.

The Pageant Director says another reason they are not following the Pacific Pageant is because it is not like what it used to be with fewer entrants every year.

He says last year there were only five entrants, and for a brand like Fiji they are more prestigious than going to a competition with only five entrants.

Blake adds people can also look forward to the Floats this year which will be lifted to another standard.

He says you can expect the Floats to be like it was back in the heydays of the 70s, 80s and 90s and they are doing quality control checks with the sponsors building, leading up to the Parade to see that they are up to standard.

Chief Executive Chair of the Hibiscus Committee, Opetaia Ravai says the Suva City Council and the Chair has also decided to open Ratu Sukuna Park from 5pm next Monday.

Ravai says they are inviting people to come and join them as there will also be 2 hours of entertainment planned around the Opening Ceremony.