KBRN, Jembrana: Thousands of residents gathered at the Mertasari Neighborhood Field in East Loloan, Jembrana, Bali, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Indonesian Independence Day.

The head of the organizing committee, I Ketut Udayana, explained that the event, which ran from August 29 to 31, 2025, was even more festive than in previous years. The event also served to foster a sense of unity and community spirit among people.

"This year is more lively and complete. Contributions from residents, donors, and supporters really nurtured a social spirit from the residents for the residents themselves," he said on Monday, September 1, 2025.

More than just a competition, this year's Mertasari Festival highlighted various traditional dishes, such as lontong serapah (Balinese dish of compressed rice cakes (lontong) served with a thick, savory coconut milk curry and vegetables) and lawar ayam cundang (traditional Balinese salad made from chopped chicken and vegetables mixed with a rich, spiced paste), that were a huge hit with the crowd.

One of the festival's main attractions was the wide variety of traditional foods. Amidst the buzz of the competitions, visitors were treated to an assortment of Mertasari's signature snacks.

"There was cendol, traditional village snacks, and the most popular, lontong serapah and lawar serapah ayam cundang," Udayana said.

These rich, spice-filled local dishes were a top draw for attendees and sold out quickly.

The head of the Mertasari neighborhood, Yoga Mahandika, confirmed the residents' enthusiasm for the culinary offerings. He expressed hope that in the coming years, the number of food stalls can be increased.

"Lontong serapah and village snacks were a huge success. The residents were very enthusiastic," he said.

The head of East Loloan village, Sukron Hadiwijaya, praised the Mertasari residents' teamwork in successfully organizing the engaging festival.

"This needs to be continued in line with the regent's advice, and we must maintain this excellence and improve upon it for next year," he concluded.

In addition to the culinary delights, the festival also featured various competitions and entertainment. These included mini-soccer tournaments, tarpaulin volleyball, and children's races like marble and sack races.

The highlight of the evening was a performance of traditional Rindik Koplo and a Balinese song karaoke competition, which further strengthened the community bonds. ***

Translator: Diva Rifdah Rizkia Puspitaningnala

Editor: Bambang MBKA