Koblerville site eyed as Liberation Fest venue

Citing traffic inconvenience at past venues, Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela is currently pursuing another location for the annual Liberation Festival.

According to Tudela, plans are already in the works to relocate the site of the festival to an area in Koblerville.

“The land is already designated for the [Saipan] Mayor’s Office, but I am still waiting for approval from the [Marianas Public Land Authority],” he said during an interview yesterday. “There are still several requirements that we need to complete for the MPLA board.”

These include indication of the type of building that will be constructed on the land, as well as the size of the stage and measurement of the land that is needed for the festival.

He declined to specify, though, the specific location of the site.

Tudela said he expects MPLA’s approval before next year’s festival.

“I think this will be done before next year,” he said. “If we’re successful and get this, then next year’s festival will be held there, but if not, then we’ll have to look somewhere else.”

The festival has been held at the American Memorial Park for several years before it relocated to the Garapan Fishing Base across Kristo Rai Church this year.

“[AMP] has been good to us, and I would like to thank the ranger for all the help we’ve received the past years. The Fishing Base was also okay, but I think we can find a better place,” Tudela said.

He explained that heavy traffic around the Garapan area serves as one of the reasons why a new venue is needed.

“One thing is the traffic,” he said. “That can be very dangerous, especially for the kids, and traffic at the Koblerville area isn’t as heavy as in Garapan, which even on normal days, receives a good share of heavy traffic. With the festival in the area, that might increase.”

This year, the Liberation Festival kicked off on June 4 and concluded in mid-July. It was highlighted by the annual Liberation Parade that featured various floats, marching bands, dance performances, and community organizations, among others.

The celebration is geared at commemorating the day the United States opened up the camps in Susupe where Saipan residents had been confined during World War II.

The festival also includes a royal court. Leiana K. Ogumoro was declared the queen for this year; her court includes Royal Princess Sweeda N. Glad, First Runner-Up Heather O. Woodruff, and princesses Monarie Cabrera, Myla Capilitan, Sarah Igisaiar, Nadia Manglona, and Sheyvonne Maratita.