Recycled Christmas trees light up Paseo

Twelve Christmas trees decorated by elementary schools on Saipan were lit up last Saturday during the start of the monthlong Christmas in the Marianas event last Saturday. Students and teachers used recycled materials to decorate their trees. (Frauleine Villanueva-Dizon)

Despite the slight drizzle, families and friends joined the organizers in counting down to the lighting of at least 14 Christmas trees. Diann Torres, the wife of acting governor Ralph DLG Torres, led the lighting of the trees around 6pm.

The first tree on the western side is a giant one where the public can hang their Christmas wishes.

Twelve of the 14 trees were decorated using recycled materials by schools such as Garapan, Kagman, Koblerville, Gregorio T. Camacho, William S. Reyes, and San Vicente elementary schools, Agape Christian School, Grace Christian Academy, Green Meadow School, Mount Carmel School, Marianas Baptist Academy, Northern Mariana International School, and Seventh-day Adventist School.

Many featured used plastics, bottles, tin cans, straws, sacks, caps, laundry nets, and the like to decorate their trees.

Among the eye-catching ones is the tree decorated by Green Meadow School, which has decorations that look like real ornaments as they are painted and showered with glitters.

Another notable tree was that of the Northern Mariana International School’s, which has an island-style and native vibe with its use of wooden and natural elements. According to NMI, they used debris from trees, stems, pine cones, and coconut husks from trees downed by Typhoon Soudelor for their special tree.

The trees were judged last Saturday but winners will be announced and awarded on the third Saturday, Dec. 19.

Aside from the tree decorating competition, other contests also began Saturday.

For the Christmas costume contest, representatives from Chacha Oceanview Middle School and Oleai Elementary School presented their wacky dresses.

For the Teachers’ Karaoke Competition, representatives from the NMI School and Marianas High School performed.

Other schools will perform in succeeding Saturdays until the announcement of winners on Dec. 19. There will also be a float competition and parade that day.

Festivities will continue the Saturday after Christmas, Dec. 26, when the winners for the Teachers’ Karaoke competition will be announced.

As part of the first day’s celebration, the Marianas Ukulele performed Christmas carols for the public. Other performances include those from Poksai Guma Chamorro, and Saipan Music and Dance Studio.

The Marianas Visitors Authority was joined by KKMP Foundation & KKMP Radio, Team PDI, CNMI Public School System, Friends of the Paseo and Kinpachi Restaurant to present their signature Christmas event this year.