But in the early afternoon for the past month, it’s a different story. The area springs to life as early as 4 p.m.
Food vendors start setting up food displays and other stall owners put their merchandise for sale.
The whirring sound of the engines from the Ferris wheel, Octopus and other rides produces excitement not only among the kids but for their parents, too. For the adults, sunset means getting a chance to sit at the gaming tables for the bingo games for a shot at the jackpot prizes.
The month-long 2010 Liberation festivities is winding down, and everybody is looking forward to the big showdown which is the Liberation Day parade on Sunday.
Liberation Day for the community means a month of festivities, entertainment from both local and off-island performers and participants, food, fun, games and more.
Among the performers who have graced the nightly shows and entertained the crowds at the Garapan Fishing Base included dance students from the Ana Glushko’s Academy of Performing Arts, Uncle Ben’s Music and Dance Studio, Alan Ia, I Candy, Inatua dancers, Island Warriors, Rock a Beat Kings, Essor Band, Parker Yobei, Maluw Band, Pua Hinano, Project Impact dance troupe, Petro Jazz Band, Paper Dolls, James Selepeo, Kick Back, Cab Dancers, Kulon Natibu, Chamnolinian Warriors and Talofa Dancers.
No firework display
Unlike the other Liberation Day presentations, this year will be a sad one especially for those who look forward to seeing fireworks.
But despite budgetary constraints, Saipan Mayor Donald G. Flores yesterday said that the fireworks display is an element that should be present in any Liberation Day celebration.
“The Fourth of July celebrations has always been associated with fireworks across the nation, and it’s sad to miss it this year,” Flores said.
The committee should come up with a solution to make fireworks display a regular part of the celebration, he added.
“Fireworks need not be that expensive. We could be creative as long as it’s not absent from the festivities,” he said.
Hurdles overcome
2010 Liberation Day Committee Chairman Jonas Barcinas yesterday said since Day 1 of the planning stage, the committee has been beset with so many problems, especially with the budget.
“There were times when it’s easier to raise your hands in surrender, but this celebration for the community and we don’t want to deny them this special event,” Barcinas said.
Confronted by controversies and challenges from all sides, Barcinas cheerfully led his committee members to weave their way around all the obstacles.
He said that this year’s Liberation festivities taught them a lot of things.
“Next year, we will be preparing for the event as early as we can, months ahead if possible so we can find solutions to whatever problems we will encounter,” Barcinas said.
“It has been one rough ride, but despite everything, we have been successful. Now let’s all get ready for the ultimate showdown, the culmination of the celebration, the Fourth of July parade on Sunday!” Barcinas said.
