Activities in connection with this year’s TIDE weekend will begin on Friday in Punta Gorda.

Paul Mahung reporting...
“The executive director Celia Mahung gives an overview of the weekend and highlights activities for this Friday and Saturday.

Celia Mahung – Executive Director, TIDE
“The Toledo Institute for Development and Environment, TIDE is making final preparations for its annual tide weekend from October 7th to the 9th in Punta Gorda Town. The Annual TIDE weekend is a celebration and recognition of our conservation efforts in southern Belize, promotion of the international year of the forest and an opportunity for stake holders, including fisherfolks, artisans, restaurant and hotel owners to make an income which is a great way of welcoming the 2012 tourist season. The TIDE weekend opens on Friday night, October 7th with the first seafood fundraising gala at seven p.m at the Garden Of Eden on Boom Creek Road. This semi-formal event will give every attendee the opportunity to savor Toledo’s seafood and celebrate with outstanding stakeholders recognized by TIDE. To complement the seafood cuisine, Toledo’s very own talented Belizeans will entertain the audience and it’s going to be a night of great food, cultural entertainment, awards and community interaction. On Saturday, October 8th, at four pm, the Weekend Warrior Cycling Club will be doing a race on Main Street in Punta Gorda Town. The race begins and ends at the Welcome to Punta Gorda Dollar Coin Sign. Saturday evening continues at seven pm at the Father Ring Parish Hall with TIDE’s fifth annual conservation competition. Participants include Tanisha Angelita Cal from Julian Cho Technical High School, representing Sustainable Harvest International, Brittany Logan from the Independence High School representing Southern Environmental Association. Cordelia Kyle from the Toledo Community College representing Columbia River Corporation, Rudolph Parham from the Toledo Community College representing TIDE. Emily Evans from the St Catherine Academy representing The Belize Audubon Society and for the first time ever, we have a candidate from Guatemala, Michael Jose Mendez Parham, attending, Instituto Nacional de Educacion Basica."

TIDE’s operation manger, Stephanie Supaul, highlights activities for Sunday

Stephanie Supaul – Operations Manager, TIDE
“On Sunday October 9th, the Toledo Fish Fest kicks off at six am with the fishing tournament at TIDE’s Wharf. The Official cycling race by the weekend warrior cycling club of Belize City starts at eight- thirty from TIDE’s wharf, heading out to Big Falls and returning back. Persons who are interested in the fishing tournament can contact Mr. Celine Chan at 632-9934, or they can visit the TIDE Office in Hopeville , or call 722-2274 for other information. Prizes for the fishing tournament includes, first, second and third place. For first place, we have the largest fish, minimum weight of ten pounds, includes cash prize of seven hundred, plus a Delta round trip ticket, and gift certificates. Second place, three largest fish by weight, three different species, and cash prize includes five hundred dollars, plus Tropic Air round trip ticket, and gift certificate. Third place is the largest jack, a cash prize of three hundred dollars, plus Maya Airline Ticket, and gift certificate. Official ceremonies for the fish fest begin at ten am at TIDE’S compound in Hopeville. Other main activities for the day include a kayak race, greasy pole, coconut husking and grating, cast net throwing, and other activities for kids and adults by numerous prizes that was donated by kind sponsors. During the day, there will be lots of delicious seafood, cultural food and of course drinks. Music will be provided by the ever popular DJ Fresh. This weekend is filled with activities for the whole family and promises to be packed with educational and fun-filled things to do for the people of Toledo and visitors as well.”

TIDE’s Executive Director Celia Mahung expressed words of gratitude.

Celia Mahung – Executive Director, TIDE
“TIDE is grateful to the numerous contributions that we have received from the business community in Belize City and Punta Gorda and of course our friends. Your donations whether cash or kind will make the TIDE weekend a grand success. Our main donors that contributed over a thousand dollars, include international airline sponsor Delta Airlines, The Belize Tourism Board, Love FM, Atlantic Insurance Company Limited, Moss Audubon, NICH, Energy For Life, and Social Security. We are surely grateful”.

The entire event, this Saturday and Sunday, was organized by the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment, TIDE, has over the years, has become an established and exciting and educational occasion for all those who attend.

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Check the most recent TheToldeo Howler for moreinformation

TIDE FISH FEST WEEKEND A SUCCESS

Paul Mahung reporting...
“The activities were held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment, TIDE’s executive director Celia Mahung, spoke of the weekend’s highlights.”

Celia Mahung – Executive Director, TIDE
“We are pleased with the outcomes of the TIDE weekend. At the seafood gala on Friday night, we showcased people from the Port of Honduras Marine Reserve, including the invasive lionfish served ceviche and fillet; we also gave recognition awards to fisherwomen, fishermen, tour guides, and the hotel owners, that gave more business to TIDE tours. Entertainment of the event was done by talented P.G musicians, including the P.G vibes, Umalali Garifuna Drummers, and Sylvana Show Marimba Group from Blue Creek. On Saturday Night, during the TIDE youth conservation competition, the audience learned about the significant value of the forest, from creative talent presentations done by youths, representing conservation NGOs from Belize and Guatemala. Sunday’s fish fest was a blast, it gave our stakeholders an opportunity to make an income from selling a wide variety of food and refreshments, participating in a range of activities, and win fabulous prizes. The Weekend road warriors cycling club from Belize City was an added attraction during the weekend. Sixteen boats with motivated fishing teams participated in the fishing tournament, including a boat with female fishers. Attractive prizes, including, first place valued at three-thousand, seven hundred and forty six dollars and seventy five cents. Second place valued at two thousand, two hundred and forty eight dollars and sixty cents, and third place valued at a thousand-two hundred and sixteen dollars were awarded to champion fishers, who brought in the largest fish, three species that weighed the most, and the largest jack respectively. Thanks to all other participating fishing teams. “

On behalf of the organization, TIDE’s executive director expressed words of gratitude.

Celia Mahung Executive Director, TIDE
“I take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed in any way to making the TIDE weekend a grand success. Judges, tabulators, master of ceremonies for all events, Love FM, turbo MC, Love FM , Love TV, inhabitants of Toledo, other districts of Belize, the delegation from FUNDEICO from Guatemala, representatives from NGO’s, visitors from abroad, and most of all, the dedicated TIDE team. There were several TIDE sponsors who contributed in cash or kind to making this event meaningful, and memorable. Were thankful for every contribution received and grateful for your ongoing support to TIDE”

This annual occasion has not only become a regional event, but also a major event in Punta Gorda, which now promotes a green festival with use of biodegradable plates, cups and garbage bags, throughout the entire celebration.

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