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Liberation Day fest kicks off tonight
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Posted on Jun 29 2012
The 2012 Liberation Day festivities will kick off at 6pm tonight at the Garapan Fishing Base with live entertainment and booths for community members to enjoy, according to Mayor Donald Flores.
He said yesterday that the Liberation Committee decided to fire up on a Friday this year’s weeklong celebration due to the Garapan Street Market at the festival venue every Thursday.
He noted that this year’s observance is a collaborative effort of the Saipan Mayor’s Office, the Liberation Committee, and radio station KKMP-all without assistance from the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation.
Flores underscored the many times they sought funding from the delegation months before to jumpstart the preparation but their pleas for assistance fell on deaf ears.
The mayor pointed out that for the past two years, the Liberation festivities were subsidized using Mayor’s Office resources, pulling out funding from other community projects and services.
“This year, we have to stand strong and prevent that from happening again, so we’re very appreciative to KKMP for providing valuable support and assistance to make this year’s celebration possible,” Flores told Saipan Tribune.
Flores disclosed that the 2012 Liberation Festival grand marshal is David M. Sablan, whose record of community service speaks for itself.
“Mr. Sablan is involved in many organizations and does community work. He’s a great man who finds time to serve the community he belongs to,” said Flores, adding that Sablan was the only person considered for the position.
Today also marks the counting of tickets for the five Liberation Queen hopefuls. The candidate with the most number of tickets sold will be crowned in a ceremony at the festival grounds on Saturday.
The weeklong event will culminate on July 4 with a parade that will start at National Office Supply and end at the festival grounds in Garapan.
Flores urged the community to support the 2012 Liberation Day celebration and enjoy the program that the Liberation Committee has prepared. For more information, call 234-6208.
By Clarissa V. David
Reporter
