Mariana Resort invites public to its first ever Marpi Carnival

Cotton candy, rock, reggae and reverse water dunks are headed the island’s way in Mariana Resort and Spa’s first ever “Marpi Carnival” on April 11.

Mariana Resort, which celebrates its 37th year in the CNMI with the carnival, will donate all net proceeds to the Saipan Little League.

“We chose the carnival with food and beverages and games because we want to celebrate our 37th anniversary of serving the CNMI with the community members who have been with us for the past years and everyone who wants to join us,” Mariana Resort property manager Charlene Babauta told Saipan Tribune.

Babauta said they aim to give back to the community by offering this event to non-profit organizations, school groups, and organizations the opportunity to raise funds for their cause.

“We hope to bring in a huge crowd so that all the participating organizations will be able to raise as much money for their groups,” she said.

The minimal fee is $50 for a space in a tent and $25 for an open space for games.  Business holders are welcome. The fee for business holders is a flat 10 percent of their revenue.

So far, Babauta said they have three food and beverage groups signed up, and one for ice cones and cotton candies. “We also have a booth that sells balloons and fun stuff.  We also have games such as archery, reverse water dunk and games for kids.”

“The Battle of the Bands,” will be the competition highlight of the event. HANMI’S 3rd annual Go-Kart Race competition happens that same day.

“The Battle of the Bands will be the main attraction for the carnival and we hope that this will bring in more crowds than we expect,” she said.

Prizes are $1,000 for the first place, $500 for the second, and $250 for the third. The prizes will all be coming from Kan Pacific.  Requirements are that the bands have to have at least three people and sing three different genres: rock, local or reggae and ballad. The entrance fee is $20.

While the Go-Kart Race just happens to fall on the same day as their carnival, Babauta said that Kan Pacific staff are heavily involved in this event as well.

“Currently, there are four managers from Kan Pacific with other members from other hotels such as Fiesta, Kanoa, Hyatt, Hafa Adai, PIC, and Century hotels who are part of the committee planning and coordinating this event,” she said.

“This year, we are projecting over 30 race teams. And for the semi-finals and finals, the teams will be using the RC100 karts, which have new engines [that] can go as fast as 70 miles per hour.”

The Go-Kart race starts at 8am. The carnival starts at 10am and ends 6pm.

Mariana Resort expects over 500 people to participate in the festivities, and hope you are one of them.