Samoa's different theological colleges have been given the honour of opening the 60th Independence anniversary festivities in the first week of September with the 2022 Miss Samoa Pageant the finale. 

This was confirmed by the Tanuvasa Petone Mauga of the Independence Committee as part of a special programme published on the Government of Samoa page. 

According to Tanuvasa, the main festivities for Samoa's 60th Independence anniversary celebration had been organised to take place on the first week of September. 

The Government of Samoa had approved earlier this year that the country will commemorate its 60th birthday for a whole year starting from 1 June 2022 to 31 May 2023. 

A special service will take place on Sunday 4 September at the Congregational Church Samoa Multipurpose Hall at Sogi, where five different choirs from the different theological colleges will perform and sing gospel songs to mark the commencement of the week-long program.  

This will include the Malua Theological College choir, Piula Theological College, Moamoa Catholic Theological College, Nazareth Theological College and a combined choir from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (L.D.S.).

On Monday string bandS and traditional dance competition will begin in front of the Government Building while food stalls and handicrafts display will be held on the compound of the Samoa Tourism Authority. 

The festivities will then move to the big island of Savai'i on Tuesday and Wednesday of the same week. 

Other events scheduled to take place on Thursday and Friday in Apia is the highly-anticipated 2022 Miss Samoa Pageant which will be the finale of the weeklong festivities on Saturday. 

This is the first time in two years for the pageant to be held following the lockdown and State of Emergency restrictions due to spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

It has been confirmed that eight beautiful contestants are vying for the crown that is currently held by longest-serving and current Miss Samoa, Fonoifafo Nancy McFarland. Out of the eight contestants, only two local girls signed up for the pageant with six contestants from overseas. 

The contestants for this year's Miss Samoa Pageant are: Shilohm Vaeluaga Filipi (Miss Samoa NZ); Olivia Grace Unasa Siaosi (Miss Samoa Victoria Inc.); Todahrabah Eniata (Miss Performing Arts S.P.A.C.E.); Gloryesther Fuimaono (Miss Samoa Stationery and Books); Haylanni Peral Mataupu Kuruppu (Miss Melbourne Australia Inc.); Rosevelaryn Odile Brown Fane (Miss Princess Mariana Publications); Jessika Laletupe Ki (Miss Samoa Ua Tasi); and Valentine Tanya Tago (Miss New South Wales). 

The pageant will take place on Saturday 10 September and is being organised by Manaia Events Inc. which will be guided by the theme, "Samoa Peleina."

Current Miss Samoa and Miss Pacific Islands, Fonoifafo McFarland-Seumanu is the first reigning queen to hold the title for more than a year.