Categorized | Fishing, Sports

2013 HIBT opening ceremony (Aug. 4)

MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament announces that for the first time in many years, the public is invited to attend the 2013 HIBT Opening Ceremony Sunday, Aug. 4 at the Kailua Pier.

This official recognition of teams from around the world marks the start of the 54th Annual Tournament. Ten countries will be spotlighted as each county’s national anthems is played and their respective flags are raised.

Families and community members are encouraged to attend as the Kailua Pier comes to life with music and celebration.

The HIBT Opening Ceremony will get underway at 3 p.m. with a Sunday afternoon of fun for the whole family. There will be food booths, craft vendors and free entertainment including the beautiful voice of Grace Basque and the always exciting Daifukuji Taiko drummers.

Then starting at 4 p.m., the Royal Court will open the official ceremony program with its arrival and procession.

The Hawaii County Band will welcome each country as teams from Australia, China, Japan, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, South Africa, Vanuatu and the United States parade onto the pier and are officially welcomed to the 54th Annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament.

Dignitaries will be on hand and acknowledged for their commitment to this iconic tournament and speeches will be presented during this momentous occasion.

The event is free and open to the public. Bleacher seats are on a first come bases so everyone is encouraged to come early.

Then Monday, starting at 7:30 a.m., boats line up across historic Kailua Bay, returning to the pier at 4:30 p.m. where spectators will see plenty of scoreboard action as teams weigh in at the end of the day, putting valuable points on the scoreboard.

HIBT event headquarters, retail and tournament control will once again be anchored at Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, located adjacent to Kailua Pier.

The Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament is underwritten by the generosity of the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development and the Hawaii Tourism Authority. The tournament is further supported in part by KWXX Radio and numerous corporate and community donors.

— Find out more:
www.hibtfishing.com

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