(May 23, 2019 -- Hagåtña) – The Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) announced today during a press conference at The Senator Antonio M. Palomo Guam Museum & Educational Facility in Hagåtña the entertainment, activities and highlights for the upcoming 31st Annual Guam Micronesia Island Fair (GMIF 2019). GVB invites all residents and visitors to join them for five days of rich cultural experiences.

2019 GMIF SCHEDULE • May 29 (Wed.) – 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. | Opening Ceremony at 6 p.m. • May 30 ( Thurs.) – 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. • May 31 (Fri.) – 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. • June 1 (Sat.) – 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. • June 2 (Sun.) – 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Closing Act at 4:30 p.m.

Themed “Celebrating Peace & Friendship in the Pacific”, GVB will welcome delegates and artisans from Rota; Federated States of Micronesia – Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae and Yap; The Marshall Islands; and Palau. The Guam delegation will be represented by cultural masters and artisans through the Guam Council of Arts and Humanities (CAHA).

GVB will offer a full lineup of live entertainment, cultural performances from the delegations, and activities for the entire family. There will be two stages for performances -- the event’s Main Stage in the heart of the Plaza de España and the Pure Leaf Stage in the food and beverage area.

GMIF Opening Ceremony All are invited to attend GMIF 2019’s Opening Ceremony on May 29 at 6:00 p.m. located at the Main Stage. Guam’s leaders will recognize visiting heads of state, and participating delegates and artisans. The opening ceremony should not be missed. The GUMAs of Guam, under the direction of instructor Jonathan Perez from Guma Ininan I Saina-ta, will perform the opening number and the Kåten Kulu yan Bendision (blowing of the shell and the benediction). A parade of islands will welcome all GMIF 2019 delegates. After the official opening ceremony, Guam’s 4for4 will close out the night with a special show.

“We are very excited to have our brothers and sisters from throughout Micronesia together to share, teach and enjoy each other’s cultures at the 31st GMIF,” said Pilar Laguaña, GVB President & CEO. “We want to highlight what we have in common, celebrate our bonds of friendship and continue to pass on our unique cultural traditions and languages to our children.”

Featured Entertainers Fair goers can look forward to feature performances by 3K’s: Kendall, Kelau, and Kayama, a popular group from Palau that performed at last year’s GMIF and Guam’s 4for4.

GVB has also scheduled special cultural performances by the Guam Chamorro Dance Academy from Japan, under the guidance of Master of Dance Frank Rabon and supported by GVB. The group, which is about 700 strong throughout Japan, will be traveling to Guam to perform a few shows at GMIF. The impressive Maria Ulloa Lujan Elementary School Cultural Club, made up by students ages five to 12, will also perform two shows during GMIF. The Imañe’luta (Rota) performance and the Tao Pacific Designs (Guam) Fashion Show are also top highlights of the fair.

Art and Vendors Exciting art displays will be featured at the Plaza de España. Guam artists Opake have installed a surprise mural across the Hagåtña Post Office and a special sustainable art installation will be featured.

Six visiting delegation booths and three Guam booths made up of CAHA Masters, the Che’lu Sakman Chamorro, and Guam Unique Merchandise Association (G.U.M.A.) will be located in the heart of the Plaza de España. More than 20 vendor booths will offer games, activities, and plants and merchandise for sale. Guam’s favorite food trucks will be providing food and beverages for sale throughout the event, and Heineken will be offering an adults-only beer garden.

GMIF Vendor List • $5 Paparazzi by Jashae • A & L Foods • Al's Ifit Carvings • Ann Aguon • Artisanat Tekanohi • Bernie's Karakot Plus • Blenddit Mix • Bracelet Bar • CHESA Guam • G & G'S BBQ • GFA (Guam Filipino Artist) "OBRA" • Guam Peeps 671 • Guam Unique Merchandise & Arts • Kiko's Local Art • KORNED • Kwilts 'N Stuff • Lorzalyn Artistry • Lyn's BBQ Stixx/Smokin Seafood • Makmata Tribe • Mama Ree's Sweet Treats • Månnge Pops • Momo's Cafe • Munchies Food Truck • Muse Face & Body Art • Opake • PATA • Polynesian Handicraft • Sip N' Dip • Stickers Express • Sticky Fingers • The Guam Bus • Unggoy Enterprizes • Vince & Becky's Local Jewelry • Zana Gifts & Things

Green Initiatives GVB is requesting that everyone bring reusable shopping bags for their purchases. GVB also encourages everyone to help make GMIF a green event by reducing waste and sorting their garbage. iRecycle Guam, as part of the Matson Adahi I Tano initiative, will be on hand to manage the sorting and recycling efforts. GVB thanks Matson and iRecycle for helping to keep Guam green and clean.

Håfa Adai Pledge’s 10th Anniversary GVB will continue its celebration of Håfa Adai Pledge’s 10th Anniversary by offering free activities for kids and two opportunities each day for children and adults to take the Håfa Adai Pledge. The Håfa Adai Pledge will be located in the Gazebo and will be open for the duration of the fair.

Event Sponsors GVB would like to thank the sponsors for GMIF 2019 who have shown their valuable support of the event: Presenting Sponsor T Galleria by DFS; Gold Sponsors Matson, United Airlines, Bank of Guam, KUAM Communications, GTA Teleguam, Heineken, Pacific Islands Club, The Guam Museum, Auto Spot | Sixt and Pepsi Bottling Guam. “I thank all our sponsors for working closely with us to make GMIF 2019 possible,” Laguaña added. “We couldn’t have done this for 31 years without the strong support of our community. Our sponsors have contributed in meaningful and valuable ways to this event.”

More information can be found at visitguam.com and @visitguam on Facebook, @visitguamusa on Instagram.