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Torres, department heads meet to prepare for 2015 LibDay festivities
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Posted on May 22 2015
The government has begun preparing for the 2015 Liberation Day festivities, with Lt. Gov. Ralph Torres calling together the major permitting agencies yesterday to assist Saipan Mayor David Apatang with the preparations.
The agencies in attendance were the Commonwealth Utilities Corp., Department of Public Lands, Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Qualities, Zoning Board Office, Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, and the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.
The Saipan Mayor’s Office earlier signed up for a four-year term Hon Kong-based public relations firm Skywalker Communications Group to work on the branding, publicity, event planning, and event coordination. The memorandum of understanding was signed in April.
“The promotion and organization for this event is coming at no cost to the central government,” Apatang said.
“Skywalker Communications Group has seen the marketable potential of our islands and asked my office to provide support, through their expertise and funding, to make this event a big success,” he added.
Torres wanted to ensure that the Mayor’s Office and the PR firm were aware of all the permitting requirements they need to obtain for the Liberation Day Festival.
The CNMI traditionally celebrates its Liberation Day on the 4th of July, coinciding with the U.S. Independence Day. Last year’s festivities included parade floats, the crowning of Liberation Day Queen, and staging of various entertainers and booths.
“The administration places its full support behind Mayor Apatang and his team. I will be working closely with the mayor and our permitting agencies to ensure that this event will be fun, safe, and enjoyable. This is definitely something everyone should look forward to,” Torres said.
The Liberation Day Festival this year will begin on June 27 and continue until the first week of August.
Skywalker Communications is planning for a large opening and closing ceremonies, along with the time-honored parade and fireworks show.
“After our meetings with the mayor and Skywalker Communications Group, I am personally very excited for this year’s Liberation Day festivities. This is going to be a bigger event than we have seen in the past years,” said Torres.
