Previous Story
Liberation Day Parade postponed to Sunday
For the first time in recent memory, today’s scheduled Liberation Day Parade has been postponed to Sunday, July 6, due to the bad weather brought by Tropical Depression 08W.
Liberation Day committee chair Vicente Camacho confirmed this last night at about 8:58, saying the postponement is for safety reasons.
“Although there is no typhoon, Weather Service is forecasting high winds and lots of rain,” said Camacho.
He said if the weather permits, though, they might hold the parade on Saturday. But as of last night, the parade schedule was still set for Sunday at 10am.
“We are crossing our fingers that everything would be clear by Sunday,” he added. “We don’t want to risk public safety.”
Tropical Depression 08W was located about 400 miles south of Saipan yesterday afternoon.
This year marks the 69th Liberation Day.
According to Camacho, the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management has stated that the weather today will be the same as yesterday.
Despite the inclement weather, community members began putting up tents as early as Wednesday along the parade route on Beach Road. More tents were erected yesterday under heavy rain and lightning in the evening.
Sunday’s parade will start at 10am and all roads throughout the parade route will be closed at 9am.
Camacho said that the parade will now start at the National Office Supply, going toward Garapan Fishing Base across Kristo Rai Church. He noted that 30 organizations are listed to join the parade.
This year there will be four floats, while one of the floats will be a competitive float.
This year’s celebration is themed “Reunion of Honor a tribute to the past mayors of Saipan,” and will also feature past Liberation Day queens who will be riding on a float during the parade.
