3 big events at Christmas in the Marianas this Saturday

The Christmas in the Marianas celebration this Saturday at the Paseo de Marianas will feature three big events that community members and visitors alike will enjoy a week before Christmas.

Gordon Marciano, Pacific Development Inc. director and emcee for Christmas in the Marianas events, said there will be a health walk, a parade, and then a Christmas costume show this Saturday.

For those wanting to join the 5-kilometer health walk from the Paseo to Garapan Fishing Base, registration will start at 4:30pm at the Koban station at the Paseo de Marianas. The Marianas Walkers Association is conducting the health walk.

In line with the health walk, Marciano noted that Department of Public Safety’s Fire Division will have a “Santa Claus” throwing candy to children and other onlookers.

“He will be throwing candy to complement the health walk and then will align himself with the parade,” Marciano said.

Marciano said they will wait for the walkers to arrive at the Garapan Fishing Base and from there the Christmas parade will kick off.

The parade will feature nine schools and seven organizations with their floats. Schools that are participating include Koblerville Elementary School, Kagman Elementary School, Northern Marianas International School (both elementary and middle), Tanapag Junior High School, San Antonio Junior High School, Chacha Oceanview Junior High School, Saipan Southern High School, and Kagman High School.

The seven organizations include Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, Division of Parks and Recreation, Stellar Marianas 2014 Miss Marianas Teen Gianna S. Camacho, Saipan Mayor’s Office, Department of Public Safety-3D, and Matua Riders.

“We are hoping that by 5:30 we could have all the lineups so when the walkers arrive we can start the parade and head off to PDM,” Marciano said.

He said the parade will go from Garapan Fishing Base along Beach Road toward the end leading to Micro Beach Road and then on to Coral Tree Avenue.

“The floats will then be parked for about an a hour and a half so that the public can take pictures with the floats if they want to,” Marciano said.

This will be followed by a Christmas costume contest featuring the schools that are participating.

“Then there will be entertainment after. Then on the last Saturday, Dec. 27, the winners for the Christmas tree, costume, caroling, and float contests will be announced,” Marciano said.