Merced County ready to celebrate Polynesian culture at annual event
Merced County’s annual celebration of Polynesian culture and dance will be held this weekend at Golden Valley High School in Merced.
It’s the 45th year of the Kiki Raina Tahiti Fete, the longest-running Tahitian dance and cultural festival outside of French Polynesia, according to the event’s website, kikiraina.com.
The event, which runs Friday through Sunday, will feature Island Style food, Polynesian craft booths and dancing competitions.
Here’s the event schedule:
- Friday, 6 to 10:30 p.m. The day features the Ahuroa, which is an elegant, synchronized dance performed by women of all ages to a sung Tahitian narrative composed in waltz time. The evening is completed by the Maeva Merced Pageant.
- Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Solo dancers will compete in both eliminations and finals, with dancers ages 4 and up. The group drumming competition will also take the stage.
- Sunday:, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The overall vahine (female) and tane (male) “best dancer awards” will be held in the morning. The afternoon features Tamari’i (children), amateur and professional groups demonstrating their skills in the ‘Ote’a drum dances and the lively Aparima of Tahiti Nui.
Tickets are: For adults 13 and over, $30 at the door, $25 if purchased in advance; children 5-12, $25 at the door, $20 in advance; and kids 4 and under are free.
Golden Valley High School is at 2121 E. Childs Ave. in Merced.
This story was originally published March 16, 2026 at 2:58 PM.
