THE 2022 Liberation Day Committee has come up with an initial budget of $69,092 for some of the anticipated expenses.
Of this amount, $14,900 is allocated for supplies, $6,974 for contracts, $28,718 for rentals, and $18,500 for official representation.
Of the $14,900 allocated for supplies, $5,000 is for the grandstand stage; $300 for the grand marshal sash; $1,800 for tote bags for dignitaries; $5,000 for construction and electrical materials; $2,000 for the stage banner; and $800 for the laminated and magnetic sticker for the grand marshal vehicle.
Additional funding will be raised and allocated for road banners and the royal court float.
Contracts are also needed for security services estimated at $1,620.
The other expenses included the following:
• The printing of corrugated sign numbers and line numbers, $354; and printing invitations, vehicle passes, programs, and souvenir booklets meal tickets, $5,000.
• $2,000 will be needed for rental convertible vehicles for dignitaries and the grand marshal;
• $800 will be allocated for 20-foot trash containers;
• $9,600 for tents;
• $2,320 for portable toilets.
• $2,000 is estimated to go toward fruits and refreshments for VIPs on the 4th of July;
• $1,500 for meals for volunteers; and
• $15,000 will go toward float prizes — $5,000 for first place; $4,000 for second place; $3,000 for third place; $2,000 for fourth place; $1,000 for fifth place; and a $500 consolation prize.
Allocations will also be made for the festivities’ sound system.
In a previous meeting, the committee said that the event would include a $63,000 30-minute fireworks show, and may even have not one, but three grand marshals — one for every year since the pandemic hit the community.
The Liberation Day parade committee is co-chaired by Joe Palacios and Chris Guerrero, and includes Joann Aquino as the food concession committee chair, Gordon Marciano as the entertainment committee chair, and Ryan Camacho serves as the committee treasurer.
Other members of the committee are Henry Hofschneider, Jack Guerrero, Jeffrey Cabrera, Joevince Taitano, and Teri Camacho.
Suggestions or nominations have already been submitted to the committee regarding who will be a grand marshal in this year’s parade.
Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang said he hopes to have at least one veteran assume this role.
At 9 a.m. on July 4, Monday, Beach Road will be lined with various floats, potentially one for each village in the CNMI, which would make the parade one of the largest in Commonwealth history.
The parade will officially begin at 10 a.m.
The committee intends to involve the public in coming up with this year’s theme, as well as a logo design, prior to Liberation Day.
Because of the time crunch, there will be no Liberation court this year.
Instead, the past Liberation queens have all been invited to participate in the parade — Pressel Jean Cepeda Camacho (2014), Zolenska Marie Yaroitemal (2015), Christine Maebelle Diocares Roque (2016), Peyton Ha’ani Reyes Gomez (2017), Brinae Jessilyn Maratita Cruz (2018), and Pernalynn Janet Borja Camacho (2019).
In the days leading up to Liberation Day, vendors will be allowed to sell their merchandise and/or services free of charge at the Garapan Fishing Base.
The committee will also seek the assistance of the Department of Public Lands for the use of the fishing base, as well as the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. for the lighting of the area.
The main stage for entertainment will be at the fishing base, with assistance from the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.
Fundraisers will be held to cover the costs of this year’s parade. Donations are also welcomed.
The Liberation Day Committee will meet every Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Saipan mayor’s conference room until the “big day.”
For more information, contact the Saipan mayor’s office at (670) 234-6208.
Liberation Day in the CNMI commemorates the nation’s Fourth of July holiday, and the anniversary of the release of local residents from protective custody of the U.S. military at Camp Chalan Kanoa on July 4, 1946.
Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang meets with members of the 2022 Liberation Day Committee on Wednesday, May 11.
