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Festival of Cultures to conclude with a parade on Oct. 4
The International Festival of Cultures kicks off for this final Saturday on Oct. 4 with the Parade of Cultures in downtown Garapan at 5:30pm. The walking parade, expected to feature a wide variety of cultural groups in native attire, will be held from the Carolinian Affairs Office north along Beach Road then enter Paseo de Marianas.
“The enthusiasm of the community for the International Festival of Cultures is very encouraging,” said Marianas Visitors Authority Community Projects manager Martin Duenas. “Based on the support received this year, we anticipate to continue the event again next year. We encourage everyone to invite visitors to share the parade and festivities on Saturday.”
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- Catherine Aguon of the Mariana Is. Chamorro community displays her handicrafts at the International Festival of Cultures on Saipan on Sept. 27, 2014. (MVA)
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- Dancers perform a Filipino number at the International Festival of Cultures on Sept. 20, 2014, on Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. (MVA)
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- Hitoshi Yamaguchi of the Japanese community serves Japanese cold noodles at the International Festival of Cultures on Sept.27, 2014, on Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. (MVA)
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- The Hawaiian community performs hula at the International Festival of Cultures on Sept. 27, 2014, on Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. (MVA)
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- The Chinese community performs onstage at the International Festival of Cultures on Sept. 20, 2014, on Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. (MVA)
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- Representatives of Samoa demonstrate traditional skills at the International Festival of Cultures on Sept. 27, 2014, in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. (MVA)
With 19 cultures represented, the festival offers live performances, international cuisine, arts and crafts, and cultural demonstrations at Paseo de Marianas in Garapan from 5pm to 11pm. The festival is organized by the MVA in conjunction with the Commonwealth Council for Arts & Culture and PDM Promoters.
The hourly entertainment lineup this Saturday will be Japan, Mariana Is. Chamorro, Kosrae, and Palau beginning at 6pm; Chuuk, China, and Bangladesh beginning 7:10pm; Mariana Is. Carolinian and Korea beginning at 8:10pm; Philippines at 8:45pm; New Zealand, Hawaii, and Cook Is. beginning at 9:35pm; Marquesas and Tahiti at 9:55pm; and Samoa, Tonga and Fiji at 10pm. Organizers note the schedule is subject to change.
Demonstration booths will include coconut-rope making, Chinese calligraphy, basket weaving, mwar-making (floral head lei), storyboard carving, origami paper folding, and more.
Admission is free and open to the public. (MVA)
