THE 18th annual Christmas in the Marianas will kick off on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Garapan Fishing Base.
A Christmas tree on Tinian, ready to be lit at a ceremony Friday night.
The event will include a tree lighting ceremony at 5:50 p.m., just before sunset, Christmas music, student-decorated Christmas trees, a mini Christmas Village, Christmas lights and sculptures, holiday performances, food and drink sales and much more.
Student caroling will begin at 6:15 p.m. with William S. Reyes Elementary School followed by more schools, such as Kagman Elementary School, Koblerville Elementary School, Grace Christian Academy, Saipan International School, and Brilliant Star Montessori School.
The event will continue at the same time on the following Saturdays: Dec. 3, 10, and 17, and Jan. 7.
A Christmas parade will be held starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18, from American Memorial Park to Garapan Fishing Base.
For the first time, the public was invited to make a display for the mini Christmas village competition, with 4’x4’ structures going head-to-head to win cash prizes — $3,000 for first place; $1,500 for second; and $1,000 for third.
On Rota, the Christmas lighting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Melchor Mendiola Leadership Park.
It will feature a lighting countdown, photos with Santa, goodies distribution, entertainment, and on-site local vendors.
A contest will also be held for the best decorated house, with prizes being $1,000 for first place, $700 for second, and $500 for third.
Registration is due by 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 9, with judging to take place at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 13. Applications are available at the Rota mayor’s office. For more information, contact the Rota mayor’s office at (670) 532-9451/2 ext. 105.
Similarly, on Tinian, the holiday lighting will be held this evening at 7, at the Tinian Veterans Memorial Park.
A contest will also be held for the best decorated residential building and the best decorated business or government office building.
This year’s holiday festival is organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority, the CNMI Public School System, private schools, PDM Promoters, and Pacific Development Inc.
For more information, contact MVA Community Projects Specialist Jack Aranda on Saipan at jaranda@mymarianas.com or (670) 664-3200/1; MVA Field Operations Supervisor David Atalig on Rota at datalig@mymarianas.com or (670) 532-0327; or MVA Field Operations Supervisor Vida Borja on Tinian at vborja@mymarianas.com or (670) 433-9365.
