Indo DH held for alleged assault of 10-month-old ward

 

The case is being heard at Fanling Court

An Indonesian domestic helper was remanded in custody after appearing at Fanling Magistrates Court on Thursday on charges of assaulting a 10-month-old baby boy in her care.

Eva-yulianti Fitri, 34 years old, is facing a charge of assault by those in charge of a child or young person.

No plea was taken and Fitri was sent back to jail until the next hearing of her case on May 21 after the magistrate rejected her bail application. But she was told she can apply for a bail review in eight days.

Basahin ang detalye!

Prosecution had asked for a postponement to allow time for a medical report on the infant to be obtained.

The alleged assault took place on Mar 23 inside a flat at Mayfair By the Sea at Pak Shek Kok. The helper is accused of willfully assaulting a child  “in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering,”

No details of the alleged assault were provided in the charge sheet.

The maximum penalty for the offence is 14 years' imprisonment.

Indonesian DH arrested over death of newborn baby

 

The infant was found stuffed in a rubbish bin at Lee Theatre Plaza

Hong Kong Police have arrested a 34-year-old Indonesian domestic worker on suspicion of abandoning her newborn baby boy who was found inside a toilet rubbish bin Causeway Bay on Monday, and later declared dead in a hospital.

The Indonesian woman was reportedly arrested in Eastern district on Thursday. She remains in custody while an investigation is carried out.

Basahin ang detalye!

A cleaner found the infant – with its umbilical cord still attached - inside the rubbish bin in a toilet at The Starview Chinese restaurant at Lee Theatre Plaza in Causeway Bay on Monday afternoon.

The baby was rushed to Ruttonjee hospital in Wan Chai but was declared dead on arrival.

Following a three-day inquiry, the police took the Indonesian woman into custody.

The case was initially classified as infanticide and an investigation is continuing.

 

Scammers getting better but target victims also getting smarter

 

If you're sent this picture by someone wooing you online, run!

It’s a tale as old as time, but the storytelling has gotten better, especially with the use of technology such as AI. Despite this, would-be victims are not as easily fooled anymore.

This was true in the case of  “Y,” a Filipina domestic helper in Hong Kong who told The SUN how she had been tricked into sending money to two men she met on separate dating sites a week ago. Luckily she realized soon enough that the men were both swindling her.

Y said she lost a total of HK$700 that she sent through iTunes (Apple) gift cards to the men who asked for help because they were both surprisingly held up at Hong Kong airport on their way to meet her.

Basahin ang detalye!

(The iTunes cards are often preferred by scammers as a mode of money transfer because once the victim provides the code at the back of the card the funds can be spent instantly, leaving no trace of the person who cashed it in).

But shortly after sending cash to the two, Y felt something was awry, and decided to cut off clean.

It was all because both men claimed to have stopped at the airport after they decided to fly in to see her. Both needed money sent to them so they could call get their relatives to bail them out.

Y hesitated at first, but one of the men who his name as Nelson Martin, began professing how much he loved her, and that it would take only little for her to help him get out of the tight fix he found himself in.

Y said she gave in to his request only because she had – or thought she had – already chatted with him online.

Martin who claimed to be an officer of the US army told her he was at the frontline fighting for Ukraine in its war against Russia, and even sent her gory photos of dead soldiers being thrown into trenches while he along with a few other men, tried to hold the enemy at bay.

Y at first insisted Martin was American, saying they had already chatted through video, until she was told the area code of the telephone number he had used to woo her was registered in Nigeria. She also reluctantly agreed, on hindsight, that the guy she was chatting with online was not really responsive, but merely kept mouthing words meant to show how smitten he was with her.

The realization that she had been played came when someone supposedly from Immigration Department sent her a text message asking why she allowed her boyfriend to try and enter Hong Kong with guns and large amounts of cash.

Photo of a gun that Martin allegedly tried to bring in, along with loads of cash

To make the story more believable, the man on the other line sent her a photo of the pistol supposedly seized at the airport, along with the message: “How can you allow him to enter into this country with very big amounts of money and a pistol..”

Shocked, Y decided to block the number used by the supposed agent, and end her involvement with Martin.

But there was another man in another dating site who also instantly fell for her, and immediately told her he would soon be traveling to Hong Kong to see her.

Crude slip supposedly showing why 'Pedro Oscar' was held at the airport 

On the day of his supposed arrival in Hong Kong, the guy who gave his name as “Pedro Oscar” kept sending videos of HK airport to Y, but never appeared in any of them. Instead he sent photos  of a man in a gaily printed shirt and a top hat posing in front of what looked like a part of HK Airport.

Then – surprise – he too was supposedly stopped from entering for not having a “travel permit.” As proof, he sent a very crude-looking piece of paper in which the name “immigration department hong kong” (all in lower case) was written on the letter head, and below it, written by hand, also in small letter, the words “no travel permit.”

Y again sent money through an iTunes card, but then found out he could no longer contact “Oscar.”

In the end, she decided to ask The SUN to help tell her story so other Filipinas may not be duped the same way. She took comfort in knowing that the money she sent to the scammers was small compared to what many other love scam victims had foolishly lost.

Marcos declares ‘energy emergency’ amid global oil shortage

Marcos signs EO 110 which will roll out emergency measures to respond to the looming crisis

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared a national energy emergency amid the global oil supply shortage sparked by escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Marcos signed Executive Order 110 to roll out urgent measures to secure energy supply, protect the economy and speed up the shift to renewable energy while mitigating the impact on ordinary people.

Through EO 110, a group chaired by the President called the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport (Uplift) will be set up to cushion the impact of the energy crisis.  

Basahin ang detalye!

Uplift will ensure the availability of domestic energy supply, uninterrupted delivery of essential services, continuity of economic activity and protection of vulnerable sectors.

Basahin ang detalye!

Committee members include the Executive Secretary and the secretaries of the Departments of Energy, Transportation, Social Welfare, Agriculture, Finance, Budget and Economy.

The committee will monitor the supply and distribution of fuel, food, medicines and other essential goods, while ensuring public transportation, utility and healthcare services continue as normal.

It will also coordinate efforts to maintain economic stability, streamline government processes and develop long-term strategies to reduce dependence on petroleum products such as promoting the use of electric vehicles in public transport.

Marcos said that disruptions in critical supply routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, threaten global oil production and transportation, and pose risks to the country’s security.

There is thus a need to declare a state of national energy emergency to enable the government to implement coordinated measures to ensure a stable and adequate energy supply while mitigating the impact on the economy.

“As a net importer of petroleum products, the Philippines remains highly dependent on external sources of fuel supply and is therefore vulnerable to disruptions in global oil production and transportation, which may affect the availability and timely delivery of petroleum products necessary to sustain domestic energy requirements,” the order read

“The Secretary of Energy has determined that the foregoing circumstances pose an imminent danger of a critically low energy supply and that urgent measures are necessary to ensure the stability and adequacy of the country’s energy supply,” it added.

Concerned agencies are directed to implement measures to cushion the impact of the fuel shortages, while the private sector, civil society organizations and other stakeholders are urged to partner with government to provide logistical and other support measures to help vulnerable sectors cope with the downturn.

 

Swedish businessman convicted of raping domestic helper loses appeal

 

Ekstrom was allowed bail pending appeal (HK Free Press photo)

A Swedish businessman was sent back to jail Tuesday after he lost his appeal against his conviction for raping his Nepalese domestic helper.

The Court of Appeal ordered Patrik Tobias Ekstrom returned to prison as he was out on bail pending his appeal.

Ekstrom was sentenced to seven years in prison in August 2024 after a jury unanimously declared him guilty on one count of rape and one of buggery of the helper identified only as “X,”, in the incident that happened inside his bedroom Oct. 27, 2022.

Basahin ang detalye!

This was despite his claim that the sexual acts were consensual, and that the helper had entered his bedroom willingly.

He also denied threatening to kill X if she did not agree to having sex with him.

In appealing against his sentence, Ekstrom argued through his lawyer that the trial judge failed to properly instruct the jury about X’s claim that the employer had “also done this to Mohini”, referring to his former domestic helper.

This claim could have made the jury think that Ekstrom had raped both helpers, when in fact, it was mere hearsay, said the defense lawyer.

The lawyer also tried to argue that the judge erred in admitting as evidence voice messages sent by X to Ekstrom’s wife, who was abroad at the time, after the rape.

In those messages, not once did X tell her female employer that she was raped, so the judge should not have allowed them to form part of the evidence, said the lawyer. 

But the appeal judges disagreed, saying those claimed errors did not materially affect the outcome of the case  

X told the court that on the day of the incident Ekstrom returned to his Shek O home looking drunk and forced her into his bedroom, and raped her.

At the time, Ekstrom’s wife and three children were in Japan.

In sentencing, Judge Derek Chan cited a psychological report on Ekstrom which said his chances of committing another sexual offence was on “the high end of the moderate risk.”

No longer $2 anywhere for seniors, disabled from Apr 3

 

JoyYou no more: Not all fares will cost only HK$2 from Apr 3

Starting on April 3, seniors holding the JoyYou card or persons with disabilities using personalized Octopus cards will no longer be able to pay a flat rate of HK$2 for most public transport within Hong Kong.

Under the revisions to the transport subsidy scheme first announced in last year’s budget, elderly (those aged 60 years old and above) and disabled passengers will pay 20% of any fare that exceeds HK$10.

But they still get to enjoy the HK$2 subsidy if the fare is HK$10 or below.

Basahin ang detalye!

The change in policy is meant to discourage those who enjoy the subsidized fare from taking the longer and more expensive routes when they could take the shorter and cheaper trips instead.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said on Monday the change "preserves the policy intent of the scheme while striking a balance between enhancing the sustainability of the scheme and minimising impacts on beneficiaries".

Secretary Sun said the new measure will help the government save some HK$550million in the next fiscal year, and will affect 40% of public transport trips.

He said there will be promotion and publicity about the change so elderly people and the disabled are fully informed.

A move to further curb government spending by putting a cap of 240 subsidised fares per person each month is expected to be introduced next year at the earliest.

 

Pinoy sentenced to community service for criminal damage

 

Photo of shop with shutter rolled up (Google Maps photo0

A Filipino who was charged with tearing down a steel roller shutter of a doctor’s clinic in Sai Ying Pun, was sentenced today at Eastern Court to 120 hours of community service and ordered to pay $31,000 for the damage.

L. Ombao, 42 years old, who was earning $16,000 monthly as assistant chef, was told to pay the victim, Dr Lau Chin Yeung, in installments of $1,100 a month until fully paid.

Magistrate Kestrel Lam handed down the sentence after the prosecution proposed community service be adopted as punishment since this was the recommendation of a report he ordered earlier, and government laboratory analysis showed Ombao was negative for drugs.

Basahin ang detalye!

Ombao was charged with criminal damage, contrary to sections 60(1) of the Crimes Ordinance, after he damaged the steel shutter at "Dr Lau Chin Yeung Hokgins Medical Practice", Shop G, G/F, Wealth Building, 53-65 High Street, Sai Ying Pun.

A police complaint said he did this on Nov. 23, 2025 “without lawful excuse, … intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged.”

He pleaded guilty and Magistrate Lam put off sentencing until a community service report is made on him.

Lam said he considered that Ombao pleaded guilty , that he was willing to compensate for the damage he caused, and that he had a criminal conviction in 1999. 

He deducted the first installment from Ombao’s $3,000 bail money.

34 persons arrested in anti-illegal work raids

 

13 women were arrested in operations that targeted restaurants and cleaning companies

In an effort to further stamp out illegal work, Immigration Department operatives carried out joint operations with the police and the Labour Department from Mar 13 to 20, which resulted in the arrest of 34 people.

A statement issued by Immigration on Friday said those arrested comprised 26 suspected illegal workers, seven employers and one aider and abettor.

During the first four days of the operation, officers focused on industries prone to illegal employment, including the catering and cleaning industries. Particularly targeted were 23 locations where they suspected illegal work was taking place.

PINDUTIN DITO

Arrested during this period were 19 suspected illegal workers comprising 13 women and 6 men, aged 22 to 62. Among them, four were asylum seekers and three were found in possession of forged HK identity cards.

The workers were reportedly found working as dishwashers, cleaners and kitchen workers.

Six men aged 39 to 53 were also arrested on suspicion of hiring the illegal workers.

Construction sites were targeted in last 3 days of operations

Subsequent operations that targeted construction and scaffolding sites and performance venues resulted in seven other suspected illegal workers being arrested, along with one employer and one abettor.

The suspected illegal workers comprised one man and six women, aged 24 to 48. Among them was a woman holding a recognisance form.

A man aged 67 was suspected of employing the illegal workers and was also arrested, along with a suspected abettor, a  man aged 40.

Basahin ang detalye!

Immigration reiterated that illegal work is a serious offence in which the maximum penalty is a fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment.

The maximum jail term is three years if the offender is an overstayer or a recognizance paper holder.

Employers could be jailed for up to 10 years and fined a maximum of $500,000.

 

Philippine booth in HK Flower Show features selfie spot

Visitors can enter the PCG booth and have photos taken beside this main display

People with a penchant for taking selfies are expected to flock to the Philippine Consulate General’s booth at the ongoing Hong Kong Flower Show at Victoria Park, where a special spot has been set up beside the main display for picture-taking.

The PCG booth that goes by the theme ‘Santacruzan’ features two mannequins in male and female forms dressed up in native attire with the woman’s bodice covered in fresh everlasting flowers that grow abundantly in the Philippines’ mountainous areas.

PINDUTIN DITO

The Philippine display won a Merit Award in the annual flower show that brings together more than 200 exhibitors from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas, and is visited by hundreds of thousands of people over 10 days.

Another floral display featuring distinctly Philippine native products like capiz shells, bamboo and abaca hemp by perennial participant Blue Grass Philippines, also won a Merit Award.

Bluegrass Philippines' entry features capiz shells, hemp and bamboo along with flowers

But selfie spots and instagrammable backgrounds can be found throughout the wide area covered by the Flower Show, which features stock as the theme flower under the theme “A Fragrant Journey through Hong Kong.”

One of the most popular spots for taking picture is the three-dimensional floral wall featuring five giant stocks, each composed of more than 30 3D flowers and is set off with over 6,000 orchids and other blossoms.

Basahin ang detalye!

In front of the wall, as before, is an expansive display of more than 14,000 tulips in different colors which complements the 3D stock installation, making this one of the most favored photo spots by visitors.

The floral theme wall serves as backdrop for 14,000 tulips in various colors 

In the surrounding areas are large-scale landscape installations by various groups, companies like Ocean Park, district offices and government agencies like the Architectural Services Department, Civil Civil Engineering and Development Department, Correctional Services Department, and several others.

Distinctive features of Hong Kong life such as dim sum in bamboo steamers, as well as landmarks like the Observation Wheel and the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, are also well incorporated in the floral displays.

This year’s flower show introduces a range of family-friendly attractions like a Ponies Photo Booth in the Central Lawn, government mascots interacting with visitors, and several colorful Easter egg and bunny-themed installations.

Spectacular floral displays like this one are enough reason to visit the flower show

Those who want to take home potted plants can buy them at very reasonable prices from several commercial stalls on the fringes, some of which also sell light refreshments and souvenir items.

Visitors may also take part in free recreational activities like floral arrangement demonstrations, gardening lectures and music and cultural performances.

The flower show is open from 9am to 9pm everyday until March 29. Tickets are priced at $14 each, with a concessionary rate at half-price for children aged 4-14 and fulltime students, senior citizens aged 60 and above, persons with disabilities (and a companion each), and those in groups of at least 30.

Children, elderly and disabled guests get to enter free on 

Lying lands DH in jail for 4 months

 

Visa application interview (Immigration Department file photo)

Lying to an Immigration officer three times to extend her employment visa as domestic helper, has landed a Filipina in jail after she was sentenced at Shatin Court to four months’ imprisonment for each offense.

However, Magistrate Raymond Wong ordered that the three sentences he imposed on Josephine Away, 47 years old, run at the same time.

Away was charged with three counts of making a false representation to an Immigration Officer lawfully acting under or in the execution of the Immigration Ordinance, contrary to section 42(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

She pleaded guilty in a hearing today.

In the first offense, Away was accused of telling an Immigration officer interviewing her on Feb. 2, 2018 that she would work for Leung Chui Pik as a domestic helper, so she needed only an extension to an expiring visa.

She repeated the lie on Jan. 28, 2023 when she renewed her visa, to an Immigration Officer lawfully acting under or in the execution of Part III (Extension of stay) of the Immigration Ordinance.

Basahin ang detalye!

The third lie was made on July 2, 2024, when she made the same claim during Immigration arrival examination at the airport.

Her claims were lies because she actually worked for Leung’s sister.

Her lawyer, in mitigation, said she thought she did not need to make a change in her Immigration record since her new employer was from the same family.

Magistrate Wong gave her the usual one-third discount from the intial sentence of six months, which she would serve concurrently.

Concern raised about FDHs’ ‘abuse’ of non-refoulement scheme

 

All those repatriated were former DHs who overstayed, with some committing crimes

Hong Kong Immigration has expressed concern about what it called as the “abuse” of the non-refoulement claim mechanism by foreign domestic helpers as it announced Friday the repatriation of 18 unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants.

Immigration said in the statement that all those repatriated between March 18 to 20 were former FDHs who had overstayed their visas. Among them were former prisoners who had served their sentences after committing criminal offences.

“The ImmD is very concerned about the abuse of the non-refoulement claim mechanism and is aware that a number of claimants were former foreign domestic helpers before,” said the statement.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

“The ImmD has been co-operating with the relevant consulates-general in Hong Kong and will continue such co-operation to step up publicity and education for newly arriving foreign domestic helpers to help them understand that they should not abuse the non-refoulement claim mechanism.”

To forestall their return to their home countries after overstaying, the FDHs filed claims for non-refoulement or against being sent back home, saying they faced torture or persecution if they returned.

Once non-refoulement applications are lodged with the Immigration Director, repatriation cannot be carried out until a final decision is reached. If denied, the applicant could appeal, first with the Torture Claims Adjudication Board, then to the courts, a process that could take years.

Basahin ang detalye!

In the meantime, applicants are provided by the government with food and accommodation subsidies but are not allowed to take up work. A big number end up working illegally or resorting to crime during this period.

To prevent an abuse of the process, Immigration updated its removal policy starting from Dec 7, 2022 which allowed it to generally proceed with the removal of a claimant whose judicial review has been dismissed by the Court of First Instance, despite the availability of appeal.

In its statement, Immigratio said it will continue to explore solutions to speed up the repatriation of unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants and coordinate with relevant authorities to “optimise repatriation routes and the operation process.”

Those being consulted on further speeding up repatriation are the major source countries of non-refoulement claimants, airline companies and other government departments.

 

8 weeks’ jail for 2-year overstay

Shatin court

A Filipina who overstayed in Hong Kong for more than two years, was sentenced to eight weeks’ imprisonment after she pleaded guilty today at Shatin Court to breach of condition of stay.

Magistrate Raymond Wong initially set the penalty at 12 weeks, but gave Genniegen Pines, 38 years old, a one-third discount for her guilty plea.

Basahin ang detalye!

Pines was on a domestic helper‘s employment contract which entitled her to remain in Hong Kong until May 11, 2024 or two weeks after termination.

However, she was terminated on March 4, 2024 and remained in Hong Kong until she was arrested on March 17 this year, according to the complaint filed by the Immigration Department..

HK Flower Show opens Friday, Mar 20

 

Stock is the featured flower this year 

The annual Hong Kong Flower Show is set to open on Friday, March 20 at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay with Stock, a flower known for its delicate scent and rich hues, as its theme flower. The show will until March 29.

As in previous years, the Philippine Consulate is among those taking part. Vice Consul Allan Revote who heads the Consulate’s cultural section, said the display this year will have a photo booth, a nod to Filipinos’ penchant for taking “selfies.”

The Flower Show organized by the Leisure and Cutlural Services Department (LCSD) is an annual display that brings together more than 200 organizations from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas.

Basahin ang detalye!

Hundreds of thousands of people visit the Show each year to view the dazzling array of blossoms, artistic floral displays and landscaped gardens painstakingly put together by dozens of exhibitors.

The colorful and lavish display of flowers from all over the world transforms the park into an enchanting floral garden for 10 days, making it a must-see for everyone.

Stock comes in various forms and colors

There will also be a range of activities during the show, including cultural performances, floral art demonstrations, workshops on greening activities, guided visits, as well as fun games.

The Flower Show themed “A Fragrant Journey through Hong Kong” opens daily from 9am to 9pm, from March 29.

Tickets are priced at $14 each, with a concessionary rate at half-price for children aged 4-14 and fulltime students, senior citizens aged 60 and above, persons with disabilities (and a companion each), and those in groups of at least 30.

Children, elderly and disabled guests get to enter free on weekdays, or Monday to Friday.

 

 

Ex-DH gets 8 weeks for overstaying

 

Immigration Department

A Filipina who remained in Hong Kong for two years after her domestic helper employment contract expired, has been sentenced to eight weeks’ imprisonment Monday after she pleaded guilty at Shatin Court.

Ma. Jessielou Arillano, 42 years, had been charged with breach of condition of stay, contrary to section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance, on complaint of the Immigration Department.

Acting Principal Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong handed her the sentence after giving her a one-third discount equivalent to four months for her guilty plea.

Basahin ang detalye!

Arillano was arrested on Sept. 16, 2025, two years after her contract expired on Oct. 22, 2023.

Under section 11 of the Immigration Ordinance, an Immigration officer set a condition of stay on her, limiting her stay in Hong Kong until 22 October 2023 or two weeks after termination of contract, whichever is earlier.

Section 40 states: “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine at level 5 ($50,000) and to imprisonment for 2 years.”

Consulate takes over Phl Independence Day celebration in HK

 

Congen Israel presents the Independence Day program highlights

The Philippine Consulate will take full control of this year’s Philippine Independence Day celebration in Hong Kong to be held on June 14 (Sunday) on Chater Road in Central.

This was announced by Consul General Romulo Israel, Jr. during a meeting with Filipino community leaders on Sunday, during which Consulate officers also explained at length the various servicesthey provide to the public.

In the past several years, the Consulate had worked with only one organization, namely the Global Alliance Hong Kong, in drawing up the program for the annual celebration, which was often also spread out over three Sundays of June.

Basahin ang detalye!

This year, only one Chater event is planned with the Consulate, along with the Migrant Workers Office and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, taking charge of the entire program.

The day-long program will kick off with an interfaith prayer, followed by a Catholic mass. The traditional Kapangyawan Parade will then be held, which will be open to participation by any group with at least 10 members each.

Those who wish to participate will have to register with the Consulate’s cultural and community affairs section and carry a uniform banner with their group’s name, and wear Filipiniana or Filipino-inspired attire.

The cultural performances will also be opened to everyone, with the Consulate choosing from among volunteers the choreographers who will plan the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao dances.

“Once choreographers are confirmed, registration will open for volunteer dancers,” said Congen Israel during a slide presentation of the program for the event.

The official call for participation will also issued by the cultural section.

Participation in the parade will be opened to all groups with at least 10 members each

The second part of the program will be devoted to celebrating Migrant Workers Day, which will feature a Serbisyo Caravan, a Philippine Festivals Competition and a dance contest called OWWAW Sayaw, for which cash prizes ranging from HK$5,000 to HK$10,000 will be awarded to the top three winners.

Several migrant workers groups who had long protested Global Alliance’s dominance of the annual celebrations told The SUN that this second part which will be held during what is generally known as the prime time for the event, could be controlled by GA again through its close alliance with OWWA.

A Filcom leader claimed that even before an official announcement is made regarding the mechanics for participation in the Philippine Festivals competition, GA has already decided that participation will be opened to 10 groups made up of 50 dancers who will perform for 10 minutes each.

Cash prizes will be given to winners in the MWO-OWWA segment during prime time

The leaders also fear that there would be selective participation in the two dance contests, especially as they come with generous cash prizes for the winners.

As in the Consulate part of the event, the leaders are calling for open participation and transparency in the MWO-OWWA segment to end what has long been decried as favoritism in the celebration of the community’s biggest event of the year.