18th Taste of the Marianas and Beer Garden opens

Some of the 250 delegates of the CNMI to the Festival of the Pacific Arts will be showcasing their talents and performances at the 18th Annual Taste of the Marianas, which will run all Saturdays of the month of May.  (Frauleine Villanueva-Dizon)

The annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival and Beer Garden was launched for the 18th straight year last Saturday.

Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Chris Concepcion led the opening ceremonies of the four-Saturday event on behalf of the MVA together with guests Saipan Mayor David Apatang and members of the 19th Legislature.

“As the MVA looks back on 40 years this year, we see that the Taste of the Marianas has become the most popular signature events for both residents and visitors alike. As our offices in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Russia, and the Philippines promote this event, it only continues to grow every year,” Concepcion said.

“It offers tourists the opportunity to gain insights into our heritage with local dance and song performances as well as show the diversity of the Commonwealth community,” he added.

Rep. Angel Demapan (R-Saipan) presented MVA House Resolution 19-40 “to recognize the significance of the 40th anniversary of the Marianas Visitors Authority and reaffirming the commitment of the 19th Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature’s support in their endeavor to promote the Northern Mariana Islands as a premier tourist destination.”

The resolution recognized MVA’s roles and achievements noting that “today, 40 years later, our visitors authority continues to fulfill its mission to ‘promote and develop the Northern Mariana Islands as a premier destination of choice for visitors from throughout the world while providing a maximum quality of life for our people,’ and furthermore, to ‘nurture and encourage cultural interchange and environmental sensitivity for visitors enjoyment and for our children’s children.’”

This year visitors can visit the 18 booths available on site at the American Memorial Park with food concessionaires such as Coral Ocean Point Resort, D’ Elegance, Fiesta Resort & Spa, Furusato Restaurant, Herman’s Modern Bakery, Hula Girl, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Kanoa Resort, Marianas Resort & Spa, Matty’s BBQ, Sierra’s Pearl Shakes, Thai House Restaurant, Tony Roma’s/Cappriciosa, and Tropical Chill.

The Taste will also have the traditional weekly contests such as the hotdog-eating contest, pie-eating contest, bartending competition, and the chef’s competition.

According to MVA community projects manager Martin Duenas, 5,000 or more visitors comes and goes in the venue per day and there are more tourists coming in.

“I think the launching is good, its very well received. I think they looked forward to coming here every year so they’re here,” Duenas said.

Another highlight of this year’s festival is the showcasing of the 250 CNMI ambassadors to the upcoming Festival of the Pacific in Guam.

“Mostly we’re focusing on the FestPac participants. We’re giving them the opportunity to perform here,” Duenas said.

Various groups displayed their talents and the performances they have been practicing for in months. For the first night, the spotlights were on the Northern and Southern Carolinian Women’s Dance, Talabwog Men’s Stick Dance, Chamorro/Southern Warriors Contemporary Show, as well as performances from Maggie Naputi, Marvin Deleon Guerrero, and Jay Babauta.

“They’re not only raising funds to be able to represent us in Guam, it’s also part of MVA’s mandate is to promote cultural performances,” Duenas said.

The Taste of the Marianas will continue on May 14, 21, and 28 opening at 6pm and ending at 10pm, except on the last Saturday when it will be until 11pm.