LibDay Committee pushes revival of Las Vegas Night

The Saipan Mayor’s Office wants to revive Las Vegas Night during the monthlong Liberation Day celebrations, according to Tony Benavente, Mayor Juan B. Tudela’s public information officer.

The application and necessary documentation for the proposal have already been submitted and are currently being reviewed by the Attorney General’s Office, he said.

Last year, booths that promote gambling activities on festival grounds were ordered closed by the government, including the popular Las Vegas Night, due to permitting issues.

Asked for the reason why the committee is now pushing for it, Benavente said it would really raise much funds for the festival and the municipality.

“It might bring significant amount to the committee,” Benavente said, adding that a certain percentage of Las Vegas Night is remitted to the committee.

Citing the very tight budget of only $45,000 for the entire festival, Benavente said the lack of funds may limit some traditional activities like the fireworks display. The mayor, he said, continues to seek an additional $100,000 from the Legislature.

This year’s celebration has the theme “Path for Peace.”

Considered the biggest community event on island, the Liberation Day festivity will begin on June 5.

Main events such as the much-awaited parade of the Royal Court and float competition are slated for the Fourth of July celebration.

Benavente said since the committee is still in the preliminary stage, details of other activities are not yet finalized.

He said the committee is now searching for Liberation Day Queen candidates, preferably from various ethic communities and must be 15-20 years old.

Tickets for the candidates are still up for printing, according to Benavente.

The annual float competition, meantime, is a sure thing for the Liberation Day committee. “Applications are ready for the float,” he said, adding that the deadline for submission is on the first week of May.

The Saipan Mayor’s Office is now soliciting bids from three contractors for the building of 30 booth stations for the festival.

For each food vendor, the committee charges $1,250, inclusive of alcohol and beer; its $800 for those that mainly sells food and soda.

In the initial meeting of the festival steering committee, the following persons were elected to various committees: Joaquin Omar as overall festival chairman; Isidoro T. Cabrera as vice chairman; Rose T. Ada as queen’s committee chair; Angel Hocog as concessionaire committee chair; Lucy Aldan as vice chair for concessionaire panel; Susanna Ellis as finance and solicitation committee chair; Joaquin Guerrero as communications chair; Felipe Atalig as chair for the parade; and Joe Tenorio as chair of the logistics committee.