America250 4th of July celebrations
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa wakes up this morning to the start of its America250 celebrations, with the 2026 July 4th Fautasi Regatta set to launch the territory’s commemoration of the nation’s 250th Independence Anniversary. Weather remains the deciding factor, but anticipation...

![The 2026 July 4th Fautasi Regatta event — is set to begin today, as part of the celebrations commemorating the nation’s 250th Independence Anniversary, July 4th — with 13 fautasi crews preparing to take their place on the water today in two heats. The final race will follow the next day — it all depends on the weather! A total purse of $180,000 will be awarded to participating crews. The organizing committee for the event is led by the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (ASTCA) and the Reid Family Group. [photo: ASTCA] fautasi organizing committee](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/image_1_1.jpg?itok=FmoZYNb_)