KUCHING, July 2: Semadang International Tagang Festival will be back with its fifth edition from Aug 30 to Sept 1.
The three-day festival will take place at Kampung Semadang, Borneo Heights Road, 40km from here. Among the interesting activities planned are a fishing competition, Miss Tagang beauty pageant, traditional Bidayuh dance, gong beating contest, kayaking, cooking tourney, street soccer, dart contest and children’s colouring contest.
“This year, we will also be inviting 2016 Bintang RTM champion Rosario Ninik from Sabah and two singers from Pontianak, Indonesia, to perform at the festival,” said its organising chairman, Samson Mangang.
Samson said the festival would kick-off on Aug 30 with the Bidayuh traditional dance and gong beating competition, featuring eight cultural troupes from Kuching, Serian, Siburan, Padawan, Penrissen, Bau and Lundu. After that, guests will be entertained by the singers from Pontianak and local singers.
“The following day (Saturday, Aug 31) we are going to have very packed activities, starting with the fishing competition,” he said.
Besides the fishing competition, which usually attracts 200 to 300 participants, the other activities on that day are a cooking competition and a dart contest, which are open to the public.
For children, Samson said they could join the children’s colouring contest.
Samson said the much-anticipated Miss Tagang beauty pageant would be held on Aug 31, featuring 10 finalists. Other activities for the evening include a performance by Rosario and the two singers from Pontianak.
On Sept 1, the festival will continue with the kayaking competition, Zumba dance programme and various games.
“This year, the fishing competition, Miss Tagang beauty pageant and the cooking competition offer more lucrative prizes,” assured Samson.
Fishing competition coordinator Krisnam Sabod said a total of RM2,100 in cash prizes are up for grabs, besides supplementary prizes. The competition is divided into three categories: the most number of fish caught, fastest catch and biggest catch.
Meanwhile, festival director Robert Kenneth said the Miss Tagang Beauty Pageant offers cash prizes of RM1,500 to the champion, while the first runner-up and second runner-up will receive RM1,000 and RM500 respectively, besides crowns, sashes, trophies and supplementary prizes.
He said there are also seven consolation prizes of RM200 each besides supplementary prizes, while the winner of the Miss Popular Tagang title will win RM500 and a sash.
The cooking competition offers RM300 in prize money for the champion, and RM200 and RM100 respectively for the first and second runners-up, besides hampers sponsored by Maggi.
“There will be stalls selling food and drinks as well as handicrafts and other product during the festival,” said Robert.
The festival is jointly organised by Kampung Semadang Development and Security (JKKK), State Agriculture Department and Kampung Semadang Tagang System Committee.
Robert thanked those who have come forward to sponsor the event, namely Assistant Minister for Transport Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, Hornbill Skyways, Nestle Products and Nang Ori Sdn Bhd.
“We welcome any organisation who wish to sponsor the event as well as those who wish to assist us in the event,” added Robert.
Those interested to participate in the various competitions may contact Alvine Ngu at 0198949377 (Miss Tagang beauty pageant), Monica Molad at 01126907583 (cultural dance competition) and Laurette Apuk at 01125171761 (cooking competition). — DayakDaily
