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The #MarianasStrong Yearend fete draws large family crowd
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Posted on Jan 03 2019
Polynesian dance troupe Alana’Ia performs at the #MarianasSTRONG Year-end Celebration, on Dec. 29, 2018, in Garapan. (MVA)
The #MarianasStrong Year-end Celebration and Yutu 5K Holiday Fun Run to the Marianas, which coincided with the annual Mochitsuki Festival at the Paseo de Marianas in Garapan, drew a large crowd, most of them families.
The event started with the Yutu 5K Fun Run at 5pm at the pedestrian mall flagpole along Beach Road. Ninety-seven people, including those in costumes, ran south on Beach Road to the Cabrera Center and back.
Special prizes were awarded to three winners in the best holiday costume—runners in a Spiderman suit, a reindeer, and a Christmas tree.
All participants got Christmas hats and limited edition Yutu Fun Run shirts.
The Mochitsuki Festival followed at the Paseo de Marianas, featuring the traditional Japanese pounding of rice in preparation for the new year. People were then treated to non-stop entertainment by different performers onstage until 10pm.
The mochi-tasting had the longest line. Activities included food and drinks sales, games, a free bounce house for children, yoyo play, free Saipan-da bag per child, and free Saipan-da pencil per child. There was also raffle drawing for a Samsung Note 9.
MVA managing director Christopher Concepcion said the large turnout is making them think of making the fun run—the first time they had one—an annual Christmas event.
He said he saw a fun run in California so he talked with his team to do similar event here, considering that they had to cancel the first three Saturdays of the annual Christmas in the Marianas due to Super Typhoon Yutu’s devastation.
“This is something we can consider next year because of the success. Bigger and better,” he said.
MVA projects coordinator Jack Aranda said the turnout looks really good and all the money raised at the event goes to Karidat for recovery efforts.
Aranda said that three vendors participated in the yearend celebration: Inas’ Kitchen, Kinpachi, and Furusato.
