Sierra’s Pearl Shakes serves up treats on opening night of the 16th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden on May 10, 2014. (Contributed Photos)
The 16th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden continued on May 10, bringing some of the best of island cuisine and entertainment to American Memorial Park.
The event is held every Saturday evening beginning at 6pm in May as part of the monthlong celebration of Tourism Month in the Northern Mariana Islands.
Revelers joined two heats of the Pie-eating Competition, stuffing their faces with custard pie donated by Herman’s Modern Bakery. The first heat was won by John Umbay. Competing television celebrity Jing Lun Wong of Taiwan gave his best effort for the camera, but failed to place. In the second heat, the lone female place winner KayKay Reyes came in second.
The Marianas Visitors Authority, the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the National Park Service jointly hosted the annual event.
Taste of the Marianas offers international cuisine at affordable prices by 16 hotels and restaurant vendors, non-stop live entertainment on the main stage, nightly contests on the secondary stage, and arts and crafts sales. (MVA)
Sierra’s Pearl Shakes serves up treats on opening night of the 16th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden on May 10, 2014. (Contributed Photos)
Jing Lun Wong of Taiwan’s Star TV gives his best effort for the camera during the Pie-eating Competition at the Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival and Beer Garden on May10, 2014, downing three hotdogs first. At right is Armen Karapetyan, who placed 2nd in the 1st Heat competition.
Winners of two heats of the Pie Eating Competition take a commemorative photo during the Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden on May 10, 2014. From left are Jayson Camacho (3rd place, 2nd Heat), Jun Kiyagawa (3rd place, 1st Heat), John Umbay (1st place, 1st Heat), Simon Jed Necesito (1st place, 2nd Heat), KayKay Reyes (2nd place, 2nd Heat), and Armen Karapetyan (2nd place, 1st Heat).
Saipan Southern Warriors perform a Carolinian dance at the 16th Annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden on May 10, 2014.
