(MVA) — Dates for the holiday fanfare of Christmas in the Marianas have been set for Dec. 3, 10, 17, 2022, and Jan. 7, 2023, at Garapan Fishing Base in Saipan.
This year’s holiday festival is once again organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority in cooperation with the Public School System, private schools, PDM Promoters, and Pacific Development Inc.
With the enthusiastic participation of schools again, this year’s activities will include Christmas caroling, skits, costumes, student-decorated Christmas trees, and a mini Christmas village. A Christmas float parade will also be held on Dec. 17 after sunset through downtown Garapan.
For the first time, members the public are invited to make a display for the Christmas mini-village. Cash prizes for entries are $3,000 for 1st place, $1,500 for 2nd place, and $1,000 for 3rd place. Participants will be provided a 4’x4’ wooden structure to decorate. Slots will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis.
“To further brighten the holidays and our annual program, this year we are pleased to announce our Christmas mini-village contest open to the public,” said MVA Managing Director Priscilla M. Iakopo. “Also, in keeping with our local tradition of celebrating the holidays through Three Kings Sunday, we are extending the festivities to Jan. 7. The holidays are usually a stronger travel period, so more visitors will be able to enjoy the Christmas in the Marianas experience with this prolonged schedule.”
MVA will also have a light and sculpture display at Garapan Fishing Base to coincide with the festivities.
On Rota, a contest for the best decorated house will be held. On Tinian a contest for best decorated building will be held in two categories: residential and business/government office, and a children’s caroling and costume contest will be held.
For more information or to obtain a Christmas mini-village application, contact MVA community projects specialist Jack Aranda at jaranda@mymarianas.com or (670) 664-3200/1.
For Rota events, contact MVA field operations supervisor David Atalig at datalig@mymarianas.com or (670) 532-0327. On Tinian, contact MVA field operations supervisor Vida Borja at vborja@mymarianas.com or (670) 433-9365.
