Tomorrow is final night of Christmas in the Marianas

Christmas in the Marianas will celebrate its final night with a Mochitsuki Festival on Saturday, Dec. 28, at Paseo de Marianas in Garapan. The Mochitsuki Festival is an annual celebration in Japan marked by the pounding of “mochi” (glutinous rice) in preparation for the new year.

The festivities kick off at 5:30pm at Paseo de Marianas in Garapan with a traditional Japanese dance by the Saipan Awaodori Team and the official opening of the festival at 6pm. Other entertainment will be Holiday Rockin’ in American Sign Language at 6:30pm, Hopwood Middle School Glee Club at 7pm, Marianas High School Rhythm N’ Harmony at 7:30pm, more “mochi” pounding at 8pm, Wolfgang Christian School at 8:30pm, Pacific Flowers dance group at 9pm, and Refaluwasch Warriors dance group at 9:30pm.

Christmas in the Marianas is celebrated every Saturday in December and is organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority, PDM Promoters, Pacific Development Inc. and other travel partners.

“It has really been a phenomenal Christmas in the Marianas celebration this year. …You can just feel the excitement and holiday spirit every night at Paseo de Marianas!” said MVA managing director Priscilla M. Iakopo. “The MVA is so pleased to work with our many sponsors and supporters to make this annual signature event possible for visitors and our residents every year, and we invite everyone to come out for our final night of Christmas in the Marianas this Saturday.”

Last Saturday, Dec. 21, Christmas in the Marianas featured Skymark Night, celebrating the recent commencement of direct, daily service by Skymark Airlines Inc. between Tokyo and Saipan. Three lucky individuals won roundtrip tickets for two. Also, winners of the Skymark Night Plane Contest were awarded for their plane sculptures. Winning first place and $500 from among 17 entries was Mario K. Espeleta, followed by Vladimir S. Palma winning $300 in second place, and Kenjirho Matias winning $200 cash in third place. Winners also received MVA giveaways.

Participating food and drink vendors are Kinpachi, Furusato, Lyn’s BBQ and Java Joe’s. The event is sponsored by Island Image & Motion, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Kensington hotel Saipan, Pacific Islands Club Saipan, Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority, and Chamolinian Cultural Village Inc. Additional support is provided by Department of Lands and Natural Resources, Department of Public Lands, Department of Public Safety, Department of Fire & Emergency Medical Services, Lollipop’s, Hard Rock Café Saipan, Furusato, Century Tours/iShop, and McDonald’s Saipan.

COTA shuttle service is provided from American Memorial Park parking lot to Paseo de Marianas beginning at 5pm (last shuttle at 9:30pm) and from Paseo de Marianas crosswalk across from Fiesta Resort & Spa to American Memorial Park beginning at 5:10pm (last shuttle at 9:40pm) every 15 minutes.

For more information, contact lead event coordinator and MVA Community Projects Specialist Ray Villagomez at rvillagomez@mymarianas.com or 1.670.664.3200/1, or for information on the Skymark Night Plane Contest, contact info@mymarianas.com. (MVA)