Billboards erected on the streets to announce and welcome the visitors to the event were smaller and fewer, and guests from neighboring islands were only a handful.
But sales of food vendors those who sold arts and crafts did well during the festival despite the fewer number of visitors compared to previous years.
The Susupe Civic Center was transformed into one thriving marketplace with stalls selling different products.
Guests hopped from one stall to another shopping for toys, food, clothing, jewelry, charms, artworks, local products, bags, crafts and other items. There were also body tattooing, foot massage services and therapy.
In the food section, some restaurants said business was slow but most said they were doing just fine.
Ebisuya Restaurant staff told the Variety that the dollar menus were a “hit” with customers.
“The most in-demand from the dollar-priced menu are lumpia, siopao, pancit guisado, and other items,” one of the staff said. It was their first time to join the annual festival.
The Hula Girl booth drew frequent and new customers for the duration of the three-day festival, a staff member said. Hula’s bestseller was the apigigi which is always a favorite of many whether it’s sold in the street market in Garapan on Thursdays, at the Sabalu Market in Susupe on Saturdays, or at Garapan Fishing Base Tuesday market.
Ruby Fernando, one of the booth sellers, introduced her brand of locally made “I’m Zori” flipflops, but the bestsellers in her stall were the button pins and dog tags because these were very affordable.
It was also the first time for Susan Dela Cruz of the Tinian-based Susan’s Creations to join the festival.
“I have no point of comparison yet but sales were good for my products whose prices were much lower than when customers buy the from the stores,” Dela Cruz said.
Her bestsellers were hot pepper, sea glass jewelry and magnetic holders advertising locally processed chili.
For professional photographer Leslie Ware, business was good.
Ware said he sold a good number of photographs and paintings to locals and tourists.
For Rainbow Colors photography owner Steve Jang, displaying their products in their stall was just a way to get more exposure and advertisement.
“The festival is an excellent way to get the word out and tell people about our services,” Jang said.
Sales for the student-run Saipan Southern High School ceramics displays also did well. Student art mentor Ross Wood said although he worked on majority of the ceramic products on display, a lot of other items were designed by the students. It was the fourth year for SSHS to join festival. Aside from making money from their creations, Wood said he and the students were satisfied to learn that people liked their products.
Frank R. Perez, founder of the Chamorro Crafters from Guam, said he and his team are regulars to the festival each year and he, too, noticed that there were fewer visitors this year.
“Fewer visitors, however, do not mean that we are not making any business. People still buy our products,” Perez said.
His stall displayed trinkets such as bracelets and necklaces from beads and shells he crafted from the sea, as well as various knives he made using his skill as a blacksmith.
Handmade beads from the booth of “Nana Ila” or Florencia Kaipat Seman were also a hit with customers.
“We sold our displays and even got orders from off-island,” Rosa Somol and Maria Camacho said.
Businesses were hoping that the Marianas Visitors Authority and festival organizers would conduct more promotion for the event to draw more tourists but the imposition of stricter entry regulations following the federalization of CNMI immigration may have hindered other visitors from coming here.
