Community members and visitors watch the fireworks show that highlighted the closing ceremony of the 77th Liberation Day festivities on Saturday at Garapan Fishing Base.
Back row, from left, Gordon Marciano, Liberation Day Entertainment Committee chair; Jojo Attao, Logistics Committee chair; Chalan Kanoa Bishop Ryan Jimenez; Furusato Japanese Restaurant owner Hideaki Sawada; Saipan Mayor Ramon RB Camacho; his wife Delia Maratita Camacho; Speaker Edmund Villagomez; Vice Speaker Joel Camacho; Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation Chairman JP Sablan; Rep, Julie Ogo; and Rep. Joseph Flores. Front row, from left, Priscilla M. Iakopo, Saipan mayor’s chief of staff, Liberation Day Committee board member and Parade Committee chair; Frances Sablan, Hospitality Committee chair; Diane Matsutaro, Liberation Day Committee vice chair and secretary; Nadine Deleon Guerrero, Liberation Day Committee chair; Jeanette Sarabia, Sponsorship Committee chair; Natashia N. Tomokane, Liberation Day Committee board member and Media/Marketing Committee chair; Wil Abu, Liberation Day Committee board treasurer and Finance Committee chair.
HUNDREDS of people enjoyed the fireworks display on Saturday evening at the Garapan Fishing Base as the 77th Liberation Day festivities came to an official close.
Prior to the start of the ceremony, the Palauan Community Association’s Tiul Belau performed for the crowd at 6 p.m.
The colors were retired at 7 p.m., followed by the remarks of Liberation Day Committee Chairwoman Nadine Deleon Guerrero, who thanked vendors, sponsors and CNMI leaders for their support.
This year’s Liberation Day theme was “Resiliency Rising.”
“If there’s anything I’ve learned throughout these past few months it’s that we cannot accomplish things alone,” Deleon Guerrero said. “We cannot do things without an open mind, and most certainly any mountain can be moved as long as you have the backing of an amazing team moving it with you.”
Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho, in his remarks, said “resiliency was evident in the historical accomplishments that were made in this year’s…festivities.”
He noted the generous support the Liberation Day Committee received from sponsors, as well as the number of booths that operated on the carnival grounds. “This is a true testament that the people will always come together as a community and rise up to any challenge with resiliency and strength…. [Despite] all these impacts that we have experienced in the past — the typhoons and the pandemic — we are resilient.”
The mayor also thanked the field crews, safety personnel, vendors, performers, parade participants, sponsors, community and government leaders as well as the Liberation Day Committee.
After the speeches, Sugarking, the winner of the Liberation Day Battle of the Bands competition, took the stage to perform their original composition, “Resiliency Rising,” which will be featured in ads and promotions leading up to Liberation Day 2024.
They were followed on stage by Guam-based Biggah and Bettah, which was part of a special performance sponsored by Budweiser.
The night also featured the Amazing Drag Queens’ performance which preceded the fireworks show.
Deleon Guerrero said the fireworks were sponsored by the Offices of the Governor and Lt. Governor, House Speaker Edmund Villagomez, House Floor Leader Edwin Propst, and Rep. Joseph Flores.
The Palauan Community Association’s Tiul Belau opened the evening with a cultural dance performance.
Mayor RB Camacho addresses the crowd at the closing ceremony of the 77th Liberation Day festivities.
The Amazing Drag Queens take the stage at the 77th Liberation Day closing ceremony.
A fireworks display marks the end of this year’s Liberation Day festivities.
Guam-based Biggah and Bettah perform on stage courtesy of Budweiser.
The Battle of the Bands winners, Sugarking, perform “Resiliency Rising,” which will be featured in the ads and promotion of Liberation Day 2024
The Department of Public Safety color guard retires the colors during the closing ceremony of the 77th Liberation Day festivities.
