The one-week 60th Independence anniversary celebration in Apia has enabled local businesses to cash in on the occasion by setting up stalls at the Samoa cultural village in town.

The ease of access for members of the public including tourists has led to the area buzzing with activity as entrepreneurs attempt to generate income during the independence celebration. 

Stall-owners at the site, which is located next to the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) Fale, have almost a full week to sell their wares with those into catering through the selling of food as well as handicraft also setting up stalls.

The menu for the food stalls ranged from local dishes to BBQ and Mexican style food with another section of stalls dedicated to plants, clothing, paintings and carvings.

Many of the owners were delighted to be given such an opportunity to set up shop in a prime location for their products to be sold. 

One of the stall owner from Falelauniu-Fou said her and her sister's business is normally based at the Fugalei Market but the Teuila festival gave them an opportunity to bring it to the cultural center where it is easier for tourists to find.

She said that they have earned about WST$400 on the first day of their opening and that is a lot of money for her and her family.

Another stall is the Aoga fiamalamalama school stall which sells handicraft, paintings and crops from their school. It is part of the schools program of promoting business opportunities and ways of generating income for their students.

Tua Fotu, who is a  teacher and a senior program officer at the school, said all of their products were made by their students and they are hoping to raise funds from the sale. 

"All of these handicrafts and paintings are done by the children of the school. We hope that with the money we raise from this, they can be encouraged with their efforts in becoming more independent with their earnings." 

Their stall showcased artwork which was also painted by their students, as well as jewelry that was hand-made and vegetables from the students' gardens. All of these products were produced by the students with the money earned going back to them.

Another stall that attracted a lot of attention was the Tafaifoe's Hawaiian Style BBQ run by Toilolo Benjamin Toilolo and the team from the Returnees Association.

George Toomalatai, who helps run the stall, said they wished they had a festival everyday so they are able to have a flow of income.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for us to raise money, we are able to prepare our Hawaiian style BBQ and the people love it, we had a whole crowd last night and we sold out early."