KUCHING: The fifth edition of Semadang International Tagang Festival will take place at Kampung Semadang, 40 km from here, from August 30 to September 1.
Among the interesting activities are a fishing competition, Miss Tagang beauty pageant, a Bidayuh traditional dance and gong beating competition, kayaking, a cooking competition, street soccer, a dart competition and a colouring contest for children.
“This year, we will be inviting the 2016 Bintang RTM champion Rosario Ninik from Sabah and two singers from Pontianak, Indonesia to perform at the festival,” disclosed its organising chairman Samson Mangang.
Samson said the festival would begin on the evening of August 30 with the Bidayuh traditional dance and gong beating competition featuring eight cultural troupes from Kuching, Serian, Siburan, Padawan, Penrissen, Bau and Lundu.
After the cultural competition, guests will be entertained by the two invited singers from Indonesia and also local singers.
“The following day (Saturday, August 31) will be very packed with activities, starting with the fishing competition. Like in the past, it will attract local and foreign participants,” said Samson.
Besides the fishing competition, which usually attracts 200 to 300 participants, the other activities during the day are a cooking competition and a dart competition which are open to everyone.
Samson said children could join the children’s colouring contest.
He said the much awaited Miss Tagang beauty pageant would be held in the evening of August 31. Ten finalists will be vying for Miss Tagang 2019 title.
The activities for the evening will continue with a special performance by the 2016 Bintang RTM champion Rosario Ninik from Sabah and two singers from Pontianak, Indonesia.
On Sunday, Sept 1, the festival will continue with a kayaking competition, a Zumba dance and games.
“This year’s fishing competition, Miss Tagang beauty pageant and the cooking competition offer more lucrative prizes,” revealed Samson.
Fishing competition coordinator Krisnam Sabod said besides other supplementary prizes. cash prizes totalling RM2,100 were up for grabs.
He said all participants would have the chance to win prizes in the three categories of the competition — the most number of fish caught, the fastest catch and the biggest catch.
Festival director Robert Kenneth said the winner of the Miss Tagang Beauty Pageant would receive a cash prize of RM1,500 while the runner-up and second runner-up would go home with RM1,000 and RM500 respectively besides a crown, a sash, a trophy and supplementary prizes each.
He said there would also be seven consolation prizes of RM200 each besides supplementary prizes while Miss Popular Tagang would receive RM500 and a sash.
The cooking competition champion, meanwhile, will go home with RM300. The first runner-up will receive RM200 while the second runner-up will go home with RM100. All the winners will receive hampers sponsored by Maggi.
“There will be stalls selling food and drinks as well as handicraft and other products during the festival,” explained Robert.
The festival is jointly organised by Kampung Semadang Development and Security (JKKK), the State Agriculture Department and Kampung Semadang Tagang System Committee.
Robert thanked those who had come forward to sponsor the event, namely Transportation Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, the state Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth dan Sports, Hornbill Skyway, Nestle Products and Nang Ori Sdn Bhd.
“We welcome organisations which wish to sponsor the event as well as those which wish to assist us in the event,” added Robert.
Those interested to join the various competitions can contact Alvine Ngu at 0198949377 (Miss Tagang beauty pageant), Monica Molad at 01126907583 (cultural dance competition) and Laurette Apuk at 01125171761 (cooking competition).
