More than 5000 athletes and team officials marched in last night's opening ceremony at Apia Park, as a packed house witnessed a three hour celebration of Samoan culture.
And there was never any doubt who would get the loudest cheer from the Apia crowd.
19 year-old weightlifter Feagaiga Stowers had the honour of leading the home nation onto the field as flag bearer.
Samoa are the only country competing in all 27 sports over the next two weeks, with the Games' biggest delegation of 506 athletes in stark contrast to the Marshall Islands, with just 28.
