Local Girls Marianas cofounders Ashley Pangelinan, left, and Tiara Deleon Guerrero, host a children’s costume contest during the Halloween-themed Mini Night Market at Aqua Resort Club on Oct. 26, 2023.
Tokie Mojica and her traditional crafts at the Halloween-themed Mini Night Market at Aqua Resort Club on Oct. 26, 2023.
TO end 2023 with a bang, Local Girls Marianas will launch its third community night market this Sunday, New Year’s Eve, in the Kensington Hotel lobby from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be no admission fee.
Afterward, from 9:30 p.m. to 12 a.m., a New Year’s Countdown Pool Party will be held at the Kensington poolside, where admission is $20 for children and $40 for adults.
Just like the first two Mini Night Markets, which took place at GIG Oasis and Aqua Resort Club, the New Year’s Eve event aims to create a “cozier” market experience.
The night market will be an opportunity to highlight the island’s various floral artists, traditional craftsmen and craftswomen, arts and crafts creators, and other small businesses that may not have traditional brick and mortar establishments.
The businesses that will be featured at the New Year’s Eve event include apparel company Saipan Surf Co., a first time attendee, accessories brand Xochitl, Pacific woodcrafters Galuti Club, Bakaden, Tanny’s Crafts, local jewelry makers Bonitu Basula, Forever Sy Mariana, Leyah’s, Nature Treasures, Phia’s Creations, Islandry670, and Boka.
Local Girls Marianas founders Ashley Pangelinan and Tiara Deleon Guerrero said there will be food for sale at the site, a live street magician, live music, a children’s craft area, photo booth, raffle and other “good vibes” activities.
Delon Guerrero said the Mini Night Market could be a way to bring something new into the new year.
“Sometimes it’s nice to get something fresh after Christmas before the New Year especially something locally made,” she said, adding that the participating small businesses are CNMI locals who are passionate about the handcrafted products they share with the public.
After the night market concludes, the party will pick up at the Kensington poolside where DJ Big Ken and DJ Kevin will be performing live.
The entrance fee comes with access to the swimming pool, unlimited drinks and food, and a raffle draw whose prizes include a one-night stay at Kensington.
“It’s definitely going to be a fun night of dancing plus you can’t go wrong with unlimited food, drinks and music,” Pangelinan said.
“We did taste test the chesa and it’s really delish,” Deleon Guerrero added.
