LibDay fest extended to Saturday

The audience listens to performers at the 2017 Liberation Day festivities. (Erwin Encinares)

The 2017 Liberation Day festivities will be extended until this Saturday, July 8, in order to maximize revenue for vendors.

The festivities were originally set to end on July 4 after the parade, but were extended because of the harsh weather that messed with the start of the festivities.

According to Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, he and the 2017 Liberation Day Committee decided on the extension as vendors were unable to make a profit off of the first three to four days.

When the Saipan Tribune spoke with a few of the Liberation Day food vendors, they said they wasted a lot of food in the first days of the festival because only a few showed up due to the rainy weather.

The Liberation Day festivities on July 4 brought many people to the festival grounds. The late afternoon parade leading into the evening festivities made it easier for families to stick around.

In the parade’s float competition, the Papago Lancheros float won first place and took home $4,000.

In second place, the Department of Corrections won $3,000, while third place went to the Carolinian Affairs Office, winning it $2,000.

The TanHoldings float was awarded $1,000 for fourth place.

A total of 12 floats competed.

Aside from the parade, the community came out to witness the extraordinary fireworks display that the committee had prepared. According to Apatang, the fireworks show alone was worth $40,000.

The entire Garapan Fishing Base was packed with families who came out to watch the parade and the fireworks. Families were also camped alongside the roads and beaches as early as a day before the parade.

During the evening program, there was a raffle drawing and over 20 people were able to win prizes.

The three first prize winners were awarded cash prizes at $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place, and $2,000 for third place.

The first place winner was Soley Kaipat, followed by Alvin Sablan, and Steve Pixley.

A brand new iPhone 7 from Docomo Pacific was awarded to Angelane Flores.

Other prizes and the winners are as follows:

-A Club Elan pass from the Hyatt Regency Saipan for two was awarded to Jade F. Mangubat.

-A $300 Joeten shopping gift certificate was awarded to Julita Enriquez.

-A small refrigerator from the Triple J Truckload Store was awarded to The Shack.

-A Town House dining set was awarded to Novert Ambalan.

-A $200 gas gift certificate from Shell Marianas was awarded to the C&R Corp.

-A one-year Gold’s Gym membership was awarded to a ticket that was only named Lisua.

-A $200 gift certificate from McDonald’s Saipan was awarded to Teresita Matsumoto.

-A $100 gift certificate from Pena House was awarded to Jim Sunji.

-A two-night stay at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan was awarded to Jovan Charfauros.

-Three months of yard cleaning service from the Handy Helpers was awarded to Sinfrosa Ogo.

-A one-year subscription to Marianas Variety was awarded to Winona Charfauros.

-A $100 gift certificate from the Auto Steam Car Wash was awarded to Clarice Mendoza; and

-A $100 gift certificate from Regal Theaters was awarded to Redie Dela Cruz.