MVariety.com

THE commonwealth concluded yesterday its month-long Liberation Day festivities with a lively parade and float competition.

This time, the parade was scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m. instead of 2:30 p.m.

Organizers described the festivities and the parade as “very successful.”

Liberation Committee Chairman Jonas Barcinas said it was “a feast for everyone,” as he conveyed the committee’s gratitude to the “overwhelming support” of the community and the government.

Saipan Mayor Donald G. Flores said the celebration reflected this year’s theme: “Celebrating Youths, Leaders of Tomorrows.”

Liberation parade and float committee chairman Donald Crisostomo said the parade officially started at 10:20 a.m., 10 minutes ahead of schedule, and was finished at 2 p.m., or 30 minutes ahead of  their  projection.

There were 28 groups of marchers and six floats with the Department of Public Safety color guard led by Capt. Pete Guerrero at the head of the parade.

The color guard was followed by 38 police cadets and JROTC cadets from various schools led by SGM Joaquin Kiyoshi.

The dignitaries and VIP led by Flores were among a convoy of vehicles that brought them to the review stand across from the activity center at the Garapan Fishing Base.

Among the dignitaries were Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos,  U.S. Navy Capt. Alan Moore and his wife, Northern Islands Mayor Tobias DLC. Aldan, Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz, Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan, Judge  David A. Wiseman, Japan Consul Higuchi Tsutomu, Jae-Hong Kim from the Korean Community of Saipan, Rey Tayag of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, Attorney General Edward Buckingham,  and this year’s grand marshals: Victorino Cepeda of Saipan, Don Farrel of Tinian, Tomas Mendiola of Rota and Frank

Shiro of the Northern Islands.

Moore, chief of staff U.S. Naval Forces Marianas Joint Region Marianas, was the keynote speaker of the 64th Liberation Day program.

The mayor’s office earlier announced the selection of Lino Olopai as one of the grand marshals.

But the Liberation Committee said Olopia was already chosen in 2006.

The parade participants were the Pride of the Pacific Marching Alliance, the Saipan Neighborhood Watch Task Force, the Saipan Falun Dafa Association, Wise Women Village Project/Rose Dance School, the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library-Bookmobile, the Boy Scouts, IT&E, the NMI Football Association, Uncle Ben’s Music and Dance Studio, the Division of Fish and Wildlife-Brown Tree Snake Section, Team Rectify Car Club, Domonnaka Domatsuri, the Japanese Society of NMI, the Chinese Association of Saipan, the Korean Community of Saipan, the Korean Community of P’Art Corporation, the Department of Public Safety-Fire Division, the American Red Cross, Star ATV Corp., the Matua Riders, the Department of Public Health-Flu Watch, Tau Gamma Phi Sigma, Customs, Coastal Resources Management, the Commonwealth Ports Authority Ports Police and ARRF, the Seventh-Day Adventist Pathfinder Club, Halitai Leadership Corp., the Moen Parish Catholic Association and the Saipan Awaodori Team.

Six floats participated the parade — DCCA-DYS, the Pacific Flowers Dance Group, the United Filipino Organizations, the Public School System, Little Mr & Ms  Blue Marlin Royal Court of Kagman Elementary School and the 2010 Liberation Queen and & Her Court.

Crisostomo said the Pacific Flowers Dance Group was adjudged the best float and received the $1,500 cash prize.
Second place went to PSS which won $1,000 prize, while the Little Mr. & Ms Blue Marlin Royal Court of Kagman Elementary School got the third place and the $500 cash prize.

This year’s judges were Ivan Blanco, Mark Rabauliman and Joe Limes.

The Liberation Day parade emcees were John and Carol Hosono.