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No fireworks for July 4 celebration
Similar to last year, this year’s 69th Liberation Day celebration at Garapan Fishing Base has no carnival rides as well as fireworks for the 4th of July event.
It was not too long ago that having rides like a mini-roller coaster, Ferris wheel, and other rides were the norm during Liberation Day festivities.
Many community members have expressed disappointment with the austere celebration this year, saying it resembles the regular Thursday Street Market.
“It’s another Street Market, this time every night but with a bigger stage,” one said.
Another community member, reminiscing about the past of when carnival rides were the highlight of the annual almost monthlong celebration, said the past two years’ observation has been depressing due to the lack of activities.
According to Liberation Day Committee chair Vicente Camacho, the lack of carnival rides is mainly because nobody registered to provide one at this year’s Liberation Day celebration.
However, he said they are still welcome to register with committee members who are currently working at the Saipan Mayor’s Office.
“They have to go through the process of going to the mayor’s office and fill out an application on what they want to do, so people still have time to go to the mayor’s office to register,” Camacho said.
According to Saipan Mayor’s Office special adviser Henry Hofschneider, the Liberation Day Committee is a non-profit group and the mayor’s office not affiliated with it.
“The mayor’s office is just providing support and if anyone wants to apply for concessions or rides, it will be through the committee and not through the mayor’s office,” Hofschneider said.
Camacho also told Saipan Tribune that there wouldn’t be any fireworks for Liberation Day on July 4 either.
One community member said that the fact that there will be no fireworks means “July 4 is canceled.”
The 69th Liberation Day will be celebrated all the way to July 6, following the events of coronation night for 2014 Liberation Queen and the royal court on July 2 and the Liberation Day parade and ceremony on July 4.
