Tinian San Jose Bike Race tomorrow

 Tinian’s highly anticipated San Jose Fiesta Bike Race starts tomorrow at 5:30am at Suicide Cliff.

The main event race consists of a 65-kilometer course, after which organizers will put on a 200-meter kids class tricycle sprint at 2pm from the Taga House.

The “Kiddie Race” is sponsored by Lollipops of Saipan.

To win the $200 first prize, Saipan bike riders will have to beat the time set for the course by the Bikers Association of Tinian’s first place male finisher in the Taxathon Race, Fernando Cacabelot (4:09:13), and top female rider, Rosalina Lazaro (5:23:30).

Besides the $200 cash prize for first to finish male and female, there will be also be a $100 prize for the eldest to finish and $100 for the youngest to finish. Many other prizes have been donated.

Entrance fee to participate is only $5 per person.

A convoy of 30-40 Saipan participants has already confirmed arrangements to travel over on the Super Emerald from Charlie Dock.

The boat owner is planning multiple trips to Tinian over the weekend with the first leaving at 1pm on Friday and returning to Saipan later that afternoon at 4pm. Then on Saturday and Sunday the Super Emerald will leave Saipan at 9am and return at 4pm.

Fiesta time

Saipan participants should still have plenty of time to enjoy Tinian’s annual island fiesta, which will also be taking place over the weekend.

Fiesta events officially begin with the coronation of the Fiesta Royal Court at 7pm Friday night at the Kammer Beach Pavilion.

“It is fun for the whole family.games, nonstop entertainment, and good eats. Most of us who have been there before really enjoy coming back, and even if you haven’t yet, it should be on your to-do list of entertaining and fun cultural events in the CNMI,” offered past participant and convoy organizer Bruce Bateman.

Notably, the fiesta will be held beachside in San Jose near the commercial port and features a parade as well as various booths set up with exotic food, drinks, Tinian handicrafts, games, and entertainment on the band stand.

Fiesta games include a coconut husking and grinding contest, dragon boat race, greased pig chase, a coconut tree climbing contest, and beach volleyball.

Featured artists this year include Taga Cultural Dancers, Tinian Elementary School Dancers, Guam’s Compadres Band, Guam’s Island Kai, Kiridos Tinian, Islands Boys from Tinian, Frank Dela Cruz, Steve Mendiola, Jr., and Jay Q. Dela Cruz.

The annual San Jose Novena will be at San Jose Church Sunday morning at 7:30am followed by the procession at 9am and brunch at 10am.

Then the raffle drawing takes place at 3pm where a multitude of prizes will be given away such as a $1,000 cash prize, a $500 cash, a bush cutter, 32” flat screen television, an adult bicycle, a chainsaw, a push mower, a hedge trimmer, a microwave, a wheel barrow, a 32-quart ice chest, and a five-gallon water jug.

Special rates

Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino is offering special room rates at $77 for Super Emerald passengers and Fleming Hotel has rooms available for $66 a night.

Free camping is also being made available at Tachonga Beach with security, showers, and restrooms.

Tinian Dynasty is also holding some Texas Hold’em cash games beginning at 7pm Friday night and on Saturday and Sunday starting at 3pm. Call 328-2285 for more information.

“There is not much time left so get off your seat and get a spot on the boat to Tinian this weekend! Enjoy the fun, good times and excitement or just lay by the pool and digest-don’t forget to bring your camera,” added Bateman.

Star Marianas Air is also offering $10 seats on re-positioning flights in the night hours, starting from now through Sunday night and into Monday morning. It is still only $20 for all other flights.

Groups can also charter their own flight for only $175 (limit 950 lbs). Please call 433-9997/8 to make reservations for the $10 times or the charter option.

Tinian’s big weekend is being organized by the Tinian Mayor’s Office, Don Farrell, and the Tinian Department of Land and Natural Resources.

For more information, email amin.jasmeen@yahoo.com or rosalina_lazaro82@yahoo.com or contact Joe Dela Cruz of the Tinian Mayor’s Office at 285-4818.