In an interview, museum executive director Danny Aquino said those interested to join may begin setting up their Christmas trees on Dec. 3, Thursday.
“We can accommodate 20 or more [Christmas trees]. Non-competing trees can be set up inside the museum and around the grounds,” Aquino said.
There is no registration fee. The prizes, criteria for judging and the date of awarding will be announced next week.
Aquino said the panel of judges will include museum board members and people from agencies who have partnered with the museum in the past, including the Northern Marianas Humanities Council and the Marianas Visitors Authority.
For more information, call the NMI Museum of History and Culture at 664-2160.
Hardship
It has always been their plan to host other events that will increase the number of people who visit the museum, he added.
“The people of the CNMI have endured hardship from the devastating effects of Super Typhoon Yutu to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic,” Aquino said, adding that the museum wants to help spread the holiday spirit in the community.
“The museum is a great place to visit,” he said. “Studies have suggested that anxiety can be reduced by visiting museums.”
But even the museum has been affected by the pandemic, Aquino said.
The museum used to have an average of 300 or more visitors a month, he said, adding that most of the guests were students and tourists.
“Our numbers have drastically decreased due to the pandemic, but we are optimistic that we can turn things around. We are grateful to Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and the Legislature for supporting the museum during difficult times,” Aquino stated.
