Saipan residents urged to take part in Liberation Day revelry

Skywalker Communications Group and the Saipan Mayor’s Office are urging the community to take part in what is being described as a “bigger, better, and modernized” Liberation Day festivities.

The Hong Kong-based creative firm that will be handling this year’s 70th Liberation Day met with the media in a briefing last week in a bid to create more excitement among residents and stir them to join the Liberation Day festivities that will run from June 27 to Aug. 16 at the Garapan Fishing Base.

Skywalker representatives outlined plans that aim to bring everyone together, modernizing the Liberation Day festivities and possibly promoting it in tourism markets while keeping its traditions.

Rides, activities, newer booths, fireworks, and the traditional parade will be the main features of the festivities.

Skywalker’s Rose Ada-Hocog noted that everything is still being worked but she declined to provide details as to where the rides would come from and which companies they would collaborate with, among others.

Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang said they’ve already identified some Liberation Queen candidates but the search for more candidates continue.

One of the Liberation Fay candidates, Zolenska Yaroitemal, was present during the presentation of the Liberation Day festivities. Other candidates were not present at the moment.

The 2015 Liberation Day Royal Court contestant criteria is for 15- to 25-year-old females, not married, has no children, a CNMI resident for at least six months, and of good moral and ethical character. There aren’t any limitations on the number of participants for the contest. Woman 15 to 25 years of age are invited to sign up for this year’s royal court.

Each candidate may have individual sponsors to assist with the costs of competing and each candidate will have the ability to sell Liberation Day raffle tickets. Ten percent of each of the candidates’ total fundraising proceeds will go to the candidate.

This year, one of the region’s leading independent auditing firms, Burger Comer Magliari LLC, will verify and count the official Liberation Day raffle tickets.

Application forms for the 2015 Liberation Day Royal Court are available at the Saipan Mayor’s Office or via email at liberationcnmi@gmail.com. Deadline to apply is on Friday, May 15, 2015.