Katdun Pika and other local delicacies laced with “donne Sali” hot pepper will be featured at the 21st Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival on Feb. 14-15, 2025, in San Jose, Tinian, in The Marianas.
(MVA) — Private boat operators are stepping up to support the 21st Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival this month with boat rides available between Saipan and Tinian for the festivities.
The festival will be held on Feb. 14-15, 2025. Weniol Boat Charter and Peskadufus Pika Fest Charters are offering one-way transport for $50/person and roundtrip transport for $80/person. Weniol Boat Charter will operate on Feb. 12-16, 2025, and Peskadufus Pika Fest Charters will operate on Feb. 13-15. Both boats will depart Saipan at 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5 p.ms. The boats will depart from Tinian Marina on the same days at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. Passengers must check-in with the boat 20 minutes before departure. A maximum of 40 lbs. carry-on/cargo is allowed per person. Dogs are not permitted. For more information or to purchase a seat, contact James Roberto of Peskadufus Pika Fest Charters at (670) 285-3110 or Weniol Boat Charter at (670) 989-8785 or (670) 989-0611. Peskadufus charters will depart from Smiling Cove Marina. Weniol charters will depart from Garapan Fishing Base.
Liquid Culture is also providing boat transport on Feb. 15 & 16 for the same price. Liquid Culture will depart Saipan on Feb. 15 & 16 at 7 a.m., 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. and return from Tinian at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. On Feb. 16, the boat will depart Smiling Cove Marine at 8 a.m., 11 a.m., and 2 p.m. and return from Tinian Marina at 9:30 a.m. only. For more information or bookings, call (670) 285-5639 or email liquidculture670@gmail.com/.
One-way flights between Saipan and Tinian on Feb. 15 & 16 only on STAR Marianas will be $55 for CNMI residents with valid photo I.D. Also, the airline will be extending their scheduled flights by one hour on Feb. 14, 15 & 16. Charter flights may also be arranged by contacting Star Marianas at (670) 433-9996/7/8 or smareservation2015@gmail.com/.
This year’s festival will also include an independently organized 2025 Pika Fest Cornhole Tournament on Feb. 15. Registration is $50 for a two-man team and a cash prize will be awarded. Registration is open on the Scoreholio app or at 2 p.m. at the festival grounds before the tournament starts at 3 p.m. For the tournament QR code linking to Scoreholio visit The Marianas Calendar, or call Juan Inos at (670) 287-4687 for more information.
“It’s exciting to see the community come together to entice more visitors to Tinian for Pika Fest, and we thank them for partnering with MVA to give everyone an incredible experience this weekend. A perfect example of making tourism your business!” said MVA Managing Director Christopher A. Concepcion. “Looking forward to see everyone there.”
The Tinian Hot Pepper Festival is organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority in cooperation with the Office of the Mayor of Tinian and Aguiguan and will be held at the Fiesta Grounds in San Jose, Tinian.
“A heartfelt thank you to all our participants, sponsors, and visitors for bringing this festival to life every year,” said Tinian Mayor Edwin P. Aldan. “Let’s come together to make this year’s celebration truly unforgettable!”
On Feb. 14 the festival opens at 6:30 p.m. with an official ceremony. The entertainment lineup has been updated as follows: Tinian Cultural Dancers (7 p.m.), Jason Mauricio (7:30 p.m.), Anti-tobacco Dancers (8 p.m.), Tinian Cultural Dancers (8:30 p.m.), JC Black Bird Band (9 p.m.), and JJ Aguon (9:30 p.m.). On Feb. 15, entertainment and games will be held include: Pika Run 5K (6:30 a.m.), Katdun Pika Cooking Contest (2 p.m.), Cornhole Competition (3 p.m.), Pika Run 5K Awards Ceremony (4 p.m.), Children’s “Umang” (hermit crab) Race (5 p.m.), Little Miss & Mr. Pika 2025, J.C. Café Burger Eating Contest, Hot Pepper Eating Contest, Maranatha Cultural Mission Dancers from South Korea (6 p.m.), UNIFIL Folk Dancers (6:30 p.m.), Cha-cha Dance Contest (7 p.m.), Joe Guam (7:30 p.m.), and Tatz Selepeo & JJ Aguon (8:45 p.m.).
Food vendors open at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and the festival closes at 11 p.m. Contestants may sign up for contests in person on a first-come, first-serve basis at the festival.
The festival, affectionately known as “Pika Fest” among locals (“pika” means spicy), pays homage to Tinian’s small but famous “Donni’ sali” hot pepper. Docomo Pacific is Exclusive Platinum Sponsor for the festival.
The 2nd Annual Pika Run 5K will start at 6:30 a.m. on Feb. 15. Registration is $15. Cash prizes will be awarded in Men and Women’s Divisions: $150 for 1st place, $100 for 2nd place, and $75 for 3rd place in two categories, Over-All and Under 18. Registration forms are available on The Marianas Calendar at www.mymarianas.com/event-calendar. Registration can be made the MVA offices in Tinian or Saipan or with the Tinian International Women’s Alliance at the Office of the Mayor of Tinian or by emailing dorthy.sannicolas@gmail.com or jvdecena89@gmail.com/.
Registration and payment can also be made on race day from 6 to 6:30 a.m. at the start line. Participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt while supplies last.
Free camping is available at Jones Beach, Taga Beach (toilets, barbecue pits, and outdoor showers available), and at the adjacent Tachogna Beach (barbecue pits, outdoor showers, and toilets are available). Hotel accommodations are provided by Tinian Ocean View Hotel, Tinian Diamond Hotel and Casino, Tinian Diamond Suites, Tinian Western Lodge Hotel, Lorilynn’s Hotel, Tinian Street Motel, Fleming Hotel, Sunshine Hotel and Green Lion House Hotel.
For more information, contact MVA Community Projects Coordinator Sherman Santos at communityprojects@mymarianas.com or (670) 664-3200, Tinian Field Office at (670) 433-9365, or for the Pika Run 5K contact the Tinian Mayor’s Office at dorthy.sannicolas@gmail.com or (670) 433-1802.
Contestants in the Hot Pepper Eating Contest at the Tinian Hot Pepper Festival in The Marianas in February 2024. The 21st Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival will be held Feb. 14-15, 2025, in San Jose, Tinian
