Christmas in the Marianas returns in December

Students display their Christmas costume made from recyclable and natural material during the Marianas Visitors Authority’s Christmas in the Marianas at Paseo de Marianas on Dec. 17, 2016. Christmas in the Marianas will return every Saturday evening in December 2017. (MVA)

The Marianas Visitors Authority, PDM Promoters Inc., Team PDI, and other travel partners will bring back Christmas in the Marianas every Saturday in December at Paseo de Marianas in downtown Garapan.

The monthlong celebration offers weekly holiday entertainment for visitors and residents, alike, from 5pm to 9pm each night.

The annual schoolwide Christmas Tree Decoration Competition will be held on Dec. 2, along with the official lighting of the pedestrian mall Christmas tree and a Christmas caroling competition for elementary schools. The school trees, decorated with recyclable material, will remain on display at the pedestrian mall throughout the month.

“In the spirit of the holidays, we are pleased to announce the return of Christmas in the Marianas every Saturday in December in downtown Garapan,” said MVA managing director Christopher A. Concepcion. “The enthusiasm of students is contagious, and we invite the public to come down any or every night for the festivities. We really can’t say enough about the effort of our partners PDM Promoters and Team PDI in making this a joyful holiday for the children, and especially the education tax credit donations given by local businesses for the schools.”

On Dec. 9, middle and high school students will continue with the Christmas Caroling Competition.

On Dec. 16, the Parade of Floats will be held around sunset from the Carolinian Affairs Office in Garapan along Beach Road to the American Memorial Park, followed by a costume show. Awards for all competitions will also be made. Winners of all competitions will also be announced on Dec. 16. The event will run from 5pm to 9pm for the first three Saturdays.

Dec. 23 will feature individual acts; interested musicians and performers may contact MVA Community Projects specialist Lynn Sablan at 664-3200/01 to request to be scheduled.

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.

Participating schools are Oleai, Koblerville, Gregorio T. Camacho, Kagman, and San Vicente elementary schools; Hopwood Jr., Chacha Ocean View, Tanapag, and Dandan middle schools; Kagman and Marianas high schools; Agape Christian School, Seventh Day Adventist School, Saipan Community School, Green Meadow School, Saipan International School, Northern Marianas International School, and Grace Christian Academy.

For more information, contact Sablan at jsablan@mymarianas.com or 664-3210. (MVA)