All-night effort drives LTA win

Overnight preparation paid off when Miss Land Transport Authority (LTA) won the Best Float Award during the Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North in Labasa yesterday. LTA contestant 20-year-old Joan Robinson said she was surprised and grateful for the win. “The LTA employees after finishing from work on Friday spent the whole night preparing my float,” Ms Robinson said. “They made sure that the people along the Labasa street were able to capture the theme of the festival which is greening the north and at the same time make them understand what LTA is about. “I want to thank all the LTA Labasa staff for their tremendous support.”

The 20-year-old nursing student walked away with $500 prize money and a shield. The first runner-up was Miss Hira Lal and Sons, Unaisi Naikoduva.

Her float captured the attention of hundreds of people as it was set on her sponsor’s main selling product; a giant shoe. She was awarded $300 and a shield for her and her colleagues. The second runner-up was Miss Civil Service Elenoa Matatolu and she was given $200 and a shield. Her float was decorated with pot plants and banners having information about education that she had been advocating throughout the festival. The chief guest Commissioner Northern Jovesa Vocea thanked the crowd gathered at Subrail Park for supporting the queen and king contestants. Edited by Rusiate Mataika