Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — After most Flag Day festivities were placed on hold at the beginning of the COVID pandemic in 2020, the government has laid out big plans for this year’s celebration.

Deputy Secretary of Samoan Affairs, Tauese Vaaomala Sunia II told Cabinet members last week that a fautasi race, a farm fair, and cricket and fishing tournaments are among the planned activities for the 2023 Flag Day festivities.

This coming April will make 123 years since our forefathers signed a Deed of Session with the United States putting Tutuila, Aunuu, and Swains Island under its protection, with Manu’a coming on board later on.

The Samoan Affairs Office oversees the annual Flag Day celebration and Tauese said this year will be a two-day event and that all pre-Flag Day games should conclude by April 15, along with all the festivities leading up to Fag Day, with the exception of the fautasi race to be held on April 17, 2023 — the actual Flag Day.

He said, that invitations would be sent out this week to dignitaries including Samoa’s Head of State and Prime Minister, and it will coincide with the Atoa Samoa talks prior to the actual Flag Day celebration.

According to Tauese, the invitation has been sent to Apia and it’s up to them whether to send a village from Samoa to perform as per normal at Flag Day celebrations in the past.

Cabinet members heard from Tauese that on Sunday. April 16 — the Thanksgiving Service is scheduled at 3pm at the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa complex as it is suitable for large gatherings.

 The committee concluded that one day is not enough due to the number of traditional performances, so the Flag Day celebrations will take place on Monday and Tuesday, April 17-18.

Furthermore, Tauese explained the denominations that were scheduled to participate on Sundays in the past year will now have the opportunity to perform, including the Seventh Day Adventist Church; The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints; Assembly of God; Congregational Christian Church of Jesus in American Samoa and the Pentecostal Church.

He said on the first day of the Flag Day celebration, which is April 17, will be held at the Veterans Memorial Stadium after the formalities in the morning; in the early afternoon is the fautasi race and the traditional performances will resume in the evening at 5pm.

The first groups to perform are the big denominations; Catholic, Methodist and the CCCAS.

On the second day the dancers from Samoa will perform; along with StarKist Samoa in line with the celebration of 60 years of establishment in the territory.

These are the plans for the upcoming Flag Day 2023.