Lunar New Year party opens dog parade, vendor registration

The Shanghai Sinma Acrobatic Troup will highlight the stage entertainment at the Lunar New Year Party in the Marianas on Feb. 16-17, 2018, from 5om to 10pm at the Garapan Fishing Base. The party aims to unite all cultures in the Marianas that use the lunar calendar for two nights of multicultural celebration. (Contributed Photo)

The Lunar New Year Party in the Marianas on Feb. 16-17, 2018, is now accepting registration for The Marianas Barkus Dog Parade, as well as food/beverage and snack vendors.

The dog parade welcomes owners to bring their best dressed dogs (and humans!) for a parade from Carolinian Affairs Office parking grounds to the party venue at Garapan Fishing Base. At the same time, the Saipan Mayor’s Office will offer dog adoption and registration at the festival grounds, and Dr. Ignacio Dela Cruz of the Department of Lands and Natural Resources will provide de-worming services.

“DFS is pleased to lead the organization of this first-ever Marianas Barkus Dog Parade, in celebration of the Chinese Year of Dog,” said Jamika Reyes Taijeron, parade organizer and DFS Promotions manager. “We can’t wait to see how the dogs and owners are dressed up. This is a great opportunity to celebrate mans’ best friend and the parade will be a delight for the community and island visitors to experience. For those interested, we are encouraging early registration and will be giving out a special doggie bag with a small gift for the first 25 registrations”

The cost is a $5 minimum donation, and all proceeds will be donated to the Saipan Mayor’s Office Dog Control Program/Animal Shelter. DFS will also match all registration donations in support of the mayor’s animal shelter.

To register in advance, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/marianasbarkusdogparade.

Registration on Feb. 17 will also open at the Carolinian Affairs parking grounds at 4pm, and the parade will be at 5pm. All dogs must be leashed. For more information, email marianasbarkusdogparade@gmail.com.

Separately, applications for food/snack and beverage vendors are now available from the Commonwealth Council of Arts & Culture. Fees are $20 for application, $200 for food/snack vendors (10 maximum) and $600 for beverage vendors (four maximum). Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, and vendors must comply with all regulatory requirements. For more information or an application, contact CCAC at 322-9982.

The Lunar New Year Party will be held from 5pm to 10pm and aims to unite all cultures in the Marianas who utilize the lunar calendar in a multicultural celebration.

Stage entertainment will be highlighted by the Shanghai Sinma Acrobatic Troupe performing at 8pm on both nights. Indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian teachings will be shared interactively by fishermen, farmers, the CNMI Historic Preservation Office, and Office of Fish & Wildlife.

Celestial navigation canoe rides and storytelling will be offered by Chamolinian Cultural Village Inc. Canoe Federation, 500 Sails, Okeanos Marianas, and Makalii Teenager from the Carolinian Affairs office.

Calligraphy will be provided on Feb. 16 by the Chinese community, and on Feb. 17 the Korean community will perform contemporary dances. On Feb. 17, the party will recognize and award 200 “most improved” students from the CNMI Public School System, and on Feb. 18, reserved seating will be provided for the elderly. Additional acrobatic performances are scheduled for Tinian and Rota on Feb. 15.

For more information or to sponsor the Lunar New Year Party in the Marianas, contact chair Charles Cepeda at charlesvcepeda@gmail.com. (PR)