Workers in Suva were encouraged to get into the festive spirit of the Hibiscus Festival by wearing Hibiscus-themed clothing.
On August 19, 1997, The Fiji Times reported on the efforts of the Hibiscus organizing committee to revive the vibrant atmosphere of previous festivals by introducing a competition for the most colorful costume. The prize for this contest was awarded to the staff of the ANZ Bank’s lending and customer services department at Dominion House.
Jacki Kabu, a member of the committee, spoke about the difficulty of selecting a winner due to the impressive display of Hibiscus spirit and unity among the participants. The competition was scheduled to last throughout the week, with committee members visiting various workplaces to randomly select winners in partnership with individual managers.
“What we were trying to do was to basically get back the Hibiscus spirit, the real spirit of the old Hibiscus festivals which seems to have sort of disappeared,” said Ms. Kabu. “I guess we are trying to revive it.”
She emphasized that the 1997 festival aimed to bring back the essence of traditional Hibiscus celebrations, even in the absence of street decorations.
Alongside the costume contest, the festival also featured a “Miss Personality” contest, where participants would compete for the title. A distinctive feature of that year’s festival was the “eco-Fiji” corner at Albert Park, which highlighted environmental themes without any motorized attractions.
Instead, the Suva Pony Club provided pony rides for both children and adults, adding a delightful element to the celebrations. This approach showcased a dedication to enhancing the festival’s cultural and community spirit, making it a memorable event in Suva’s history.