At stake is a $3,000 prize for the first place and consolation prizes of $500.
Teachers and students of the participating schools poured their efforts to win the top awards by decorating their Christmas trees with recycled materials on Dec. 3.
This year’s theme is “A Green Christmas for the Children of the Marianas.”
Paseo de Marianas Promoters Inc. coordinator Sonia Siwa said this year’s event drew a bigger crowd compared to the past years.
An even bigger crowd turned out for the lighting ceremony of the row of gaily decorated Christmas trees and the judging of the entries on Dec. 4.
“The awarding ceremony will be on Dec. 18 at the same venue,” Siwa said.
She added that as part of the Paseo de Marianas tradition, they have put up the biggest Christmas tree donated by RNV Construction.
Siwa said the participants used purely recyclable materials like water bottles, tins and cans, styrofoam, plastics and other materials that had been crafted and put together by the creativity of the participants.
Siwa added that one special feature for this year’s event is the participation of the tourists.
She saidthe tourists could make a Christmas wish prior to tying their red ribbons to the Christmas tree.
This year’s participating schools are San Antonio Elementary School, Garapan Elementary School, Grace Christian Academy, Tanapag Elementary School, Saipan Community School, Oleai Elementary School, William S. Reyes Elementary School, San Vicente Elementary School, Dandan Elementary School, Joshua Generation International Academy, Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School, and Ladera International School of Saipan.
For the first time, the manamko’ have participated and decorated their own Chrsitmas tree.
