LibDay still needs more vendors, parade participants

With only nine days left, the 2015 Liberation Day committee is still looking for more parade participants as well as food and non-food vendors in what is expected to be one of the biggest community events this year.

Yesterday morning, Skywalker Communications Group and the Saipan Mayor’s Office had a meeting to discuss posters and banner designs as well as updates on vendors and the float competition.

However, Mayor David M. Apatang expressed concern over the dwindling days before the kickoff for the 2015 Liberation Day festivities.

“We need to focus on the parade now and the activities. We already know that the booth rentals are costly but installments can be made where they can pay half and half. Also we encourage the community to join in the float competition,” Apatang said.

The parade is set for July 4 with participants expected to be on site by 7am, while the parade kicks off at Quartermaster around 9am. It will go toward the carnival grounds at the Garapan Fishing Base.

Skywalker Communications manager Hu Bo said that it has been already three months since preparations started and he hopes that this year, with Skywalker managing the festivities, the 2015 Liberation Day will provide the community the “best experience.”

Liberation Day committee member Rose Ada-Hocog did confirm that although “overall” expenditures have yet to be determined, Skywalker has managed to incur almost $200,000 for operational expenses alone.

“We are doing our best and Mr. Bo is using money out of his pocket to try and make this the best experience. He is trying to make the best efforts where in the end he might lose money,” Hocog said.

Bo said that he wishes more support from the community and businesses but at the same time thanked everyone who have so far supported the 2015 Liberation Day.

He also confirmed that there are rides coming to Saipan from Hong Kong, China.

“There are more than 10 but less than 20 rides. No timetable yet on its arrival,” he said.

“We also want to encourage everyone to come out and participate in this event. I understand that this is a very important event, so community involvement is important,” Apatang said.

Only 48 booths are available for vendors and the signup is on a first-come, first-served basis, so the 2015 Liberation Committee is urging all interested vendors to sign up as soon as possible.

The prices for booth rentals are $2,000 for food and beverage (non-alcoholic); $1,500 for carnival booth games; $1,500 for retail and souvenirs; $1,200 for arts and crafts; and $150 for July 4 roving street vendors. There is a $200 deposit for the booth.

Deadline for applications is June 20. Installments are welcome.

The booths open on June 27 and close on Aug. 16, 2015, giving vendors ample time to sell their products or services.

The prizes for the float competition are $4,000 for first place; $3,000 for second; $2,000 for third; and $1,000 for fourth—the largest it has been in recent years.

Volunteers are also welcome to apply including students from high school looking to include volunteer hours to their school requirements.

The theme for this year is “Peace in Diversity.”

The 2015 Liberation Day Carnival grounds will open on June 27 and will run 6pm-10pm Mondays to Thursdays, 6pm-11pm on Fridays, 10am to 11pm on Saturdays and 10am to 10pm on Sundays.

For more information, call the Saipan Mayor’s Office at 234-6208 or the Skywalker Communications office at 234-7942 or email ldcnmi@gmail.com.