Taveuni queen’s last minute request bags her float prize
Miss Taveuni Karalaini Seru’s last minute request for designer Mataiasi Qaroro’s assistance to touch up her float during the Duavata Northern Crime Prevention Carnival in Labasa was a blessing.
Well-known in the north for his decorating talents Mr Qaroro gave in to the request and in an hour his masterpiece was among the more than 20 floats which paraded through Labasa Town to mark the last day of the weeklong carnival.
“I had used my own masi and kuta to decorate Miss Taveuni’s float,” Mr Qaroro said.
Ms Seru won $150 as her prize. “Now that her float has won I should be expecting more business,” he said. “The value of my produce is very expensive but when considering the family relationship I have with Miss Seru, I decided to help her; since I am known in the Macuata Province for producing the best traditional attire made from masi and kuta.
“I am happy that I have helped Kara (Miss Taveuni) win the float competition.”
Miss Lal’s Wedding Decoration Sainiana Manuca of the teen category won the second float place while Miss Fusion Bar Katrina Bonaveidogo in the princess category won third place. Hundreds of people gathered around the main street of Labasa Town to witness the five princess, six teens, five kings and six queen contestants’ colourful floats during the procession.