The 65th Liberation Day theme is “A Band of Arms Liberating Community to Freedom This Island Way.”
As of 3 p.m. yesterday, Donald Crisostomo, the parade and float committee chairman, said there were nine groups of marchers on the list of parade participants.
They are the Boy Scouts, the Little League All Stars, JROTC cadets from Kagman High School, Marianas High School and Saipan Southern High School, Coca Cola, Falung Dafa, the Saipan Awadori Team, Chuukese Association in Saipan, the Korean Community of Saipan and the New Generation.
Crisostomo said Uncle Ben’s Music and Dance Studio and the United Filipino Organization have also expressed their interest to join the Fourth of July parade.
Homeland Security, the Aging Center and the American Red Cross are also joining the parade, he added.
The group of Eldin Maratita and the ATV buggies are among the car show participants.
Crisostomo said the Matua Riders from Saipan and Guam will also be joining the event.
As of yesterday, only three had signed up for the float contest: Choll Belau, Palau CNMI Association and KKMP Radio, but Crisostomo said they are expecting another float contestant from Guam to join.
This year’s prizes for the float contest are $2,000 for first place; $1,500, second; and $1,000, third.
Crisostomo said the check-in time of participants will be between 6:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.
The parade route will be closed at 7 a.m. and the parade will start promptly at 10 a.m. from National Office Supply and end at the Kristo Rai Church.
Crisostomo said personnel from the Saipan mayor’s office and the Department of Public Safety will maintain safety and ensure crowd control and smooth traffic.
Jonas Barcinas, the Liberation Day Committee chairwoman, said the funds raised by the candidates will help pay the festivity bills.
“The parents are very happy and the candidates are all professional,” he added.
Seman said the three candidates raised $11,850.
Castro, who was able to sell tickets worth $6,250, said she was very happy and surprised to win the crown.
She said she “worked so hard” with her parents family and friends in selling tickets.
Ada, for her part, said everybody is a winner and she is also happy and thankful for the support of her parents, family and friends.
Masayos said she could not have joined the pageant without the help of her parents, specially her mother, and her friends.
