Carols, skits at Christmas in the Marianas on Dec. 10

The Christmas spirit returns to Paseo de Marianas in downtown Garapan tomorrow, Dec. 10, for another celebratory evening of caroling and holiday skits during Christmas in the Marianas.

Festivities will kick off at 5pm with piped Christmas music at the pedestrian mall, followed by Christmas skits by high school students beginning at 6pm and Christmas caroling by middle school students beginning at 7:15pm. The evening will continue until 10pm.

The monthlong Christmas in the Marianas, organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority, PDM Promoters, Inc., Team PDI, and other travel partners, offers weekly holiday entertainment for visitors and residents, alike. This year, the event is being held on the first three Saturdays of the month and then the last two Fridays.

“Opening night for Christmas in the Marianas on Dec. 3 was a great first night, including Christmas caroling and the lighting of the Christmas trees decorated by school children,” said MVA Community Projects specialist Ryan Calvo, lead organizer of the event. “The students have especially outdone themselves this year with the creativity put into their tree decorating using natural and recycled materials.”

Last Saturday, a giant Christmas tree installed by the MVA at Paseo de Marianas was also lit. The event also included food and beverage sales by various vendors.

Saturday’s entertainment lineup includes Christmas skits by Saipan Southern High (6pm), Marianas High (6:15pm), Agape Christian School (6:30pm), Grace Christian Academy (6:45pm) and Kagman High (7pm.). Festivities will continue with Christmas caroling by Grace Christian Academy (7:15pm), Agape Christian School (7:30pm), Green Meadows School (7:45pm), and Northern Marianas International School (8pm).

On Dec. 17, the Parade of Floats will be held around sunset from the Carolinian Affairs Office in Garapan along Beach Road to American Memorial Park, followed by a costume show. Awards for all competitions will also be made. Dec. 23 and 30 will have live performances at Paseo de Marianas. The Japanese Mochitsuki Festival will be held on Dec. 30, marking the pounding of rice to make “mochi,” a traditional event in preparation for the new year. The event will run from 6pm to 10pm each night.

Participating schools in all Christmas in the Marianas events are Oleai Elementary, Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary, Kagman Elementary, San Vicente Elementary, Saipan Southern High, Marianas High, Kagman High, Tanapag Middle School, Dandan Middle School, Agape Christian School, Green Meadow School, Grace Christian Academy, Northern Marianas International School, and Mt. Carmel School.

For more information on the event, contact MVA Community Projects specialist Ryan Calvo at rcalvo@mymarianas.com or 664.3200/1 or visit www.mymarianas.com. (MVA)