Inaugural "Chamorro Day Festival" coming to Tacoma

An upcoming festival aims to unite CHamoru and other islander communities in the diaspora for a powerful day of cultural celebration and solidarity — proving that home is never out of reach. For many CHamorus living far from the Marianas, home may be thousands of miles away, but in their hearts it’s never out of reach.

On June 21, that sense of connection will come alive at “Chamorro Day: Un Marianas: I Kuttura I Mannamoru,” a cultural celebration hosted by the nonprofit organization Guma’ Imahe, supported by the Asia Pacific Cultural Ceneter and Tacoma Creates. For the first time, the festival will be held at the Star Center in Tacoma, Washington, bringing the spirit of the islands to the Pacific Northwest.

Joel Larimer, the group’s founder, told KUAM News, “We’re excited gathering the CHamoru community not just from Guam but also from the CNMI. This is why we didn’t call it Guam Day or CNMI Day – this is why we called it Chamorro Day – so it can be more of a unification-type gathering. It’s also open to the general public to let them be aware of who we are as Chamorro people.”

From traditional foods to handmade crafts, even genealogy, the event promises to be more than a festival. It’s a homecoming. A celebration of culture, shared history, and the deep-rooted values that connect islanders everywhere. “When we say CHamoru day, it’s whether you are CHamoru by blood, CHamoru by heart, or just grew up on the islands. This is something for them to celebrate as un marianas as one people," said Larimer.

Another thread in the vibrant tapestry of CHamoru culture? Music and dance. Island icons Jessie Bais and Ruby Santos will headline the festival, bringing their timeless melodies to the stage. For Larimer, it’s a full-circle moment - the name Guma’ Imahe, meaning “images,” was inspired by the duo themselves.

“Their music is so beautiful and so soothing–it just no pun intended, it just takes you back," he said. “We would be the ones to travel to San Francisco, Las Vegas, to do performances just to share our CHamoru culture along with them. Theyve been part of the group since the very beginning, and this is something we wanted to go back and tell them, thank you for this name and giving us a new image of who we are.”

And of course, the island flair will be on full display, with official Chamorro Day shirts, designed by Fresku Clothing, available at the event. With so much to celebrate, Chamorro Day promises to be a heartwarming gathering filled with pride and island spirit.

For more details, visit www.gumaimahe.org.