Leaders from Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands, and Tokelau will be part of Samoa's Independence Day celebration next week according to the Independence Committee with events starting this Friday.

And many more events are scheduled for the official closing of the country's year-long 60th Independence anniversary celebrations.

The Independence Committee Chair, Agafili Shem Leo, and the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority (S.F.E.S.A.) Commissioner, Tanuvasa Petone Pauga announced the official program for both 60th and the 61st Independence anniversaries in a press conference on Tuesday. 

The celebrations will kick off with the Fautasi regatta this Friday where five fautasi crews will vie for the title. The registered teams for the race include Tolotolo o le Tamauli, Little Rina, Don Bosco, Telefoni o le Vainuu, and the Marist Saint Joseph crew. 

The race will start at 11. 30 am with Tanuvasa emphasising that no other traffic boats are allowed on the water during the race except for that of the committee. This Friday evening the new SAT$60.00 note will be unveiled at the Taumesina Island Resort.

This Saturday is the commemoration of 178 years of the acceptance of the Catholic faith at Lealatele within the Gagaemauga No.1 district in Savai'i which will be one of the highlights of Samoa's year-long celebration. The Government will take the boat to Savai'i for this occasion.

Next week Wednesday, the last day of the month, an official thanksgiving ceremony will be held at the Malae i Tiafau led by members of the National Council of Churches (N.C.C.). The service will be followed by a special presentation of awards to 15 selected individuals for their service to Samoa. After the lowering of the flag in the evening by police, a thanksgiving concert will be held starting from 6:30 pm to officially close the year-long celebrations.

Next week Thursday, which will mark the first day of June, Samoa's 61st Independence anniversary will be marked with an official march at 4 am in the morning. Schools, ministries, organizations, and committees can register to participate. At 5 am the guests including Prime Ministers from Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands, and Tokelau will be seated to be followed by flag raising by the Police at at 6–7 am. There will be a break from 9. 30 am and lunch will follow from 11.30 am. At 1 pm entertainment will commence and include traditional Samoan songs, dances, and taualuga by Palauli, Aleipata Itupa i lalo, and Aiga i le Tai constituencies. The day will conclude with the lowering of the flag by the Police in the afternoon of Thursday, which will also be a public holiday.