By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

TO prevent traffic jams at the Civic Center on Beach Road, organizers of the annual Flame Tree Arts Festival, which opened last night, say they are working closely with the Department of Public Safety to install pedestrian markers and provide parking space in the area.
Arts Council director Cecilia Taitano-Celes said traffic was not a problem when the event was held at American Memorial Park in Garapan.
But the CNMI’s biggest festival was moved to Susupe when new management at the federal park refused to waive the rental fee of $750.
This year’s festival ends on April 29.
Celes said those who come to the festival can use the parking space outside the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, the multi-purpose center, the Guma Hustisia, the Ada Gym and the Minatchom Atdao pavilion.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, Lt Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez,and delegations from Guam, Rota, Tinian and Palau were expected at the festival’s opening last night which was to be followed by live entertainment including traditional Carolinian and Chamorro cultural dance numbers.
Celes said this year, 43 local artists, 17 food vendors and 28 members of the Sabalu Farmers Market Association have put up booths for the three-day festival
The agencies that helped the Arts Council organize the festival are the Department of Public Works, the Division of Parks and Recreation, the Saipan Mayor’s Office and the Emergency Management Office.
The Coastal Resource Management Office has also deployed staff members to ensure that the beach will not be littered and no burning takes place near the trees.