Liberation Day Committee sets deadlines

This year’s Liberation festivities spices up, like a kick of local hot pepper, as the 2005 Liberation Day Committee firms up the upcoming events and activities with a new twist on the traditional.

The committee has also set deadlines for the application of 2005 Liberation Day Queen candidates, 2005 Liberation Day Carnival concessionaires and 2005 Liberation Day float competition and parade participants.

Interested queen candidates must apply before May 15, 2005 and applications can be picked up at the Saipan Mayor‚s Office or call Queen Committee Chair Rose A. Hocog at 483-6927.

Interested booth vendors or concessionaires must apply before May 20, 2005. Applications can be picked up at the Saipan Mayor’s Office or call 2005 Liberation Day Executive Committee Treasurer Marian Tudela at 234-6208 or 234-6820.

Interested float competition and parade participants have up to June 3, 2005 to apply and can call Paul Reyes at 664-2200 for more information.

Applications are also available at the Saipan Mayor’s Office.

Celebrating “Liberty, Peace and Freedom” with limited resources and funds, the committee has decided to be creative in order to host the islands‚ largest community event successfully.

“We had to trim down on expenses, but we are doing our best to ensure that this year’s Liberation Day festivities are exciting, fun and worthwhile,” said 2005 Liberation Day Committee Chairman Eloy Inos.

For the first time, the committee is teaming up with private sponsors, hosting a series of new entertainment events and creating an open float competition.

44 booths for the 2005 Liberation Day Carnival will be built within the next few weeks and interested vendors are urged to apply before the deadline. The booth fees are at a flat rate of $1,500 for food and beverage and game vendors.

“If you would like one of the wooden constructed booths, whether it would be for food or games, this has to be the flat fee. We are considering other temporary options, such as tents for arts and crafts,” said Inos.

The Carnival will open on June 3 and the festivities will run to July 8.

The 2005 Liberation Day Parade float competition will have all organizations competing for a $2,500 1st place, $2,000 2nd place, $1,500 3rd place, $1,000 4th place and $500 fifth place.

“The playing field has be leveled and all float entries have to compete through the criteria of balance, originality, artistic imagination and the effectiveness of color combination. Materials and workmanship are considered, as well as the presentation based on this year’s theme and overall appeal,” said Inos.

The 2005 Liberation Day Essay competition deadline is also coming up, as school and open categories must submit their works by June 3, 2005 at the Saipan Mayor’s Office.