Highland residents kick off the Highland Fling celebration week with a luau celebrating the diverse cultures of Polynesia July 27.

The luau is being catered by Pacific Island Grill and features traditional dances from countries such as Tahiti, Hawaii and New Zealand. There will even be a traditional fire dancer performing.

The entertainment portion of the luau is free, but the food costs $10 per plate. Participants are encouraged to reserve their dinner by July 20 so that they are guaranteed food. The dinner will include traditional options such as pulled pork, teriyaki chicken, macaroni salad and more that participants can choose from.

“Luaus are always just really popular,” said Julie Tapusoa, the Highland events coordinator. “With this year’s theme, it seemed like a natural fit.”

Pacific Generation, a local Polynesian culture group, will be performing traditional dances and music during dinner.

“(Pacific Generation) has a school down in Orem … They perform traditional Tahitian, Hawaiian, New Zealand, Samoan, Tongan and Samoan fire dancing,” Tapusoa said.

This is the first time a luau has been held during Highland Fling and is the special event for this year’s Fling.

According to Tapusoa, the city picked the luau because of its popularity and because it fits with the “What a Wonderful World” theme.

“With the theme, it just seemed like a natural fit for us,” Tapusoa said. “As soon as I started talking about it, our city council members and staff were like, ‘Yeah! A luau! A luau!’ So we are all really excited about that.”