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2 more Saturdays for cultural festival OK’d
The Marianas Visitors Authority voted to put in an additional $5,000 in funds for this year’s International Festival of Cultures, with the goal of making it an event of six Saturdays starting around mid-August, at their board meeting last Friday.
According to MVA managing director Perry Tenorio, the Japanese Marianas Tourism Club expressed interest in having their guests visit the festival.
Adding two weeks to the festival was also discussed with vendors and community stakeholders, who also gave their approval, it was gathered.
For the two weeks, the additional cost of $5,000 was presented to the MVA’s Japanese tourism ad-hoc committee, who voted unanimously “to help fund, support, and augment the four weeks” and extend the festival, according to marketing manager Bruce Bateman.
The festival of cultures was introduced to the island last year in September as one of MVA’s new signature events. Its goal was to showcase the unique and diverse cultures of the islands for both visitors and the local community, and was compared to other popular festivals like the annual Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival held every May.
