The South Pacific Festival of Georgia is back in Evans this weekend for a second year, and the event’s founder and coordinator Hula Mageo said she has a passion for introducing South Pacific traditions and customs to the greater Augusta area.
“I wanted to share my culture,” she said.
This year’s festival began on Friday, with a crowd of interested guests swarming the Harden Amphitheater grounds on 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd. to watch traditional Polynesian dancing, eat authentic dishes like island barbecue chicken and teriyaki ribs and to enjoy a fire show.
Craft vendors sold Hawaiian style gifts and clothing, one of these being Krave da 808 which sold mainly woven bamboo baskets called “‘lauhala.”
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According to Krave da 808 owner Leilani Muniz, lauhala baskets are often used to hold gifts.
Festival founder Mageo said that she likes to educate guests about the various islands that make up the South Pacific culture.
“Polynesian is not just Polynesia…it’s Melanesia, Micronesia,” she said. “I think this is a good experience for everyone to learn about all the islands and how they’re so different but alike.”
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Mageo has lived in Augusta since 1994, but stays involved with similar festivals in states like Florida, North and South Carolina. “I’m involved in so many festivals throughout the south,” she said, where she sells traditional Polynesian jewelry and outfits.
The festival will continue on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 11 am to 9 pm and is free and open to the public.
