Skymark Night at Christmas in the Marianas on Dec. 21

To mark the start of direct daily flights from Japan to Saipan last month by Skymark Airlines Inc., the Marianas Visitors Authority and organizers of Christmas in the Marianas will celebrate Skymark Night tomorrow, Dec. 21.

The evening will be highlighted by raffle drawings for three roundtrip tickets for two between Saipan and Tokyo.

A free raffle ticket is available with minimum purchase at the following establishments: The Old B Bank, I Love Saipan, Furusato Restaurant, ABC Store, Kinpachi Restaurant, Umibouzu, Moby Dick, Zen Restaurant, and Country House.

The festivities kick off at 6pm at Paseo de Marianas in Garapan with a Japan group performance, followed by Man Antigo and Domatsuri Warriors at 6:25pm The first of three raffles will be held at 6:45pm, and again at 7:45pm and at the end of the night. The Japan group will perform again at 6:55pm and 9:05pm. Other entertainment includes Philippines Traditional and Contemporary Dance/Saipan Music & Dance Studio at 7:25pm, Department of Public Safety Blues at 8:15pm, and Studio 29:11 at 8:40pm.

Entries for the Skymark Night Plane Contest will be on display, and the winners will be announced at 8pm. First place will be awarded $500, second place will receive $300, and third place will receive $200. Winners will also receive MVA giveaways.

Last Saturday, Dec. 14, featured the Christmas Parade of Floats through downtown Garapan. Winners of various school contests were awarded, including Dandan Elementary School for the Christmas Tree Decorating Contest, San Vicente Elementary School for Elementary Caroling Contest, Agape Christian Middle School for Middle & Agape Christian High School High School Caroling Contest, and Koblerville Elementary School for Christmas Parade of Lights Costume Contest. All other participating schools also received prizes.

The holiday celebration features live entertainment, food sales, arts and crafts, and more and is being held every Saturday throughout the month from 6pm to 10pm and is organized by the MVA, PDM Promoters, Inc., Team PDI, and other travel partners. The pedestrian mall in Saipan’s main tourist district is illuminated nightly with the official Christmas tree and trees decorated by local schools. The school trees, decorated with recyclable material, will remain on display through New Year’s.

The final evening on Dec. 28 will be highlighted by another Saipan Awaodori team performance and annual Mochitsuki Festival, a Japanese holiday featuring the pounding of “mochi” (glutinous rice) for the new year. Holiday Rock’n in American Sign Language and other entertainers will fill the rest of the evening.

Participating food and drink vendors are Kinpachi, Furusato, Lyn’s BBQ and Java Joe’s. Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority shuttle service will be provided from American Memorial Park parking lot to Paseo de Marianas beginning at 5pm (last shuttle at 9:30pm) and from Paseo de Marianas crosswalk across from Fiesta Resort & Spa Spa to American Memorial Park beginning at 5:10pm (last shuttle at 9:40pm) every 15 minutes. (PR)