Fautasi Regatta heats officially launch 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 commemora

![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_)





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![“Thank you to all our stateside Samoan communities like Adelanto for keeping a special place in your hearts for our traditions, Amata said. “I loved every minute of seeing a celebration of island culture in the California desert.” [courtesy photo] Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/amata_speaking_for_flag_day.jpg?itok=HrDiUElF)