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Japan spring festival on March 2
FILE—The Japan Autumn Festival is finally pushing through on March 2, 2019, at Paseo de Marianas in Garapan, from 5pm to 9pm, with a bazaar from 4pm to 6pm. The festival is organized by the Japan Society of the Northern Marianas with support from the Marianas Visitors Authority and other supporters. (MVA)
Bouncing back from last weekend’s stormy weather, the Japanese Society of the Northern Marianas will host an evening of food, fun, and festivities at the Japanese Spring Festival this Saturday, March 2.
The festival, held in conjunction with the Marianas Visitors Authority and other tourism partners, will be held from 5pm to 9pm in the main tourism district of Garapan, at the Paseo de Marianas pedestrian mall. A bazaar from 4pm to 6pm will kick off the event.
“This festival is one of many examples of the historic ties between the Marianas and Japan, and our society is warmly welcoming all residents and visitors,” said Masato Tezuka, chairman of the Japanese Society of the Northern Marianas, in a statement.
In addition to the bazaar, the celebration will feature traditional culture demonstrations and dances by Saipan Awaodori team, Himawari Kenbukan, and live band performance by SU-SAN Band. A Bon Odori dance will show honor and appreciation for ancestors. Food vendors will also be selling popular Japanese foods such as yaki-soba, kara-age, tempura,, tako-yaki, yaki-tori, and more. Game booths will include ring toss, shooting gallery, super ball, and water balloon fishing. A raffle drawing will feature prizes include an iPad, an LED TV, a smartphone, and more.
“The Marianas Visitors Authority is pleased to join the Japanese society in making the spring festival possible for the community this year. This festival is one of many examples of the historic ties between the Marianas and Japan and the importance of our Japanese visitors today, and we are very excited about the strengthening of this relationship with the return of direct flight service from Japan this year by Skymark Airlines,” said MVA managing director Christopher A. Concepcion. “We join the Japanese Society in warmly welcoming all residents and visitors of all cultures to come experience this fun, educational festival.”
Tezuka added that the Japanese Society is looking into the possibility of establishing a sister-city relationship between Saipan and Katori City, Japan.
The festival is hosted annually by the Japanese Society of the Northern Marianas as a cultural exchange activity. (PR)
