Today is the official opening of the carnival grounds at the Garapan Fishing Base and the introduction of the 2009 Liberation Day Queen candidates.
Liberation Day Committee public information officer Tony Benavente said there were only two candidates who had confirmed their participation as of press time yesterday.
The committee was still waiting for the confirmation of a third candidate.
Benavente said they are still accepting applications from those who want to participate in the pageant.
The committee needs at least six candidates.
Mayor Juan B. Tudela, who was chosen as the grand marshal for this year’s celebration, will be one of the guest speakers today.
Businessman Tony Glad, operator of the carnival rides, said he has at least six amusement rides for the children.
Despite the economic downturn, Glad said he is optimistic that they will have a lot of customers.
“There are no more classes and this is only the place where children can go to have fun,” he said.
He said the size of the crowds that patronized the recent Flame Tree Arts Festival and the Taste of Marianas indicated that people will not stop from going to entertaining places.
Jose Cruz, who administers Max Cruz’s games for the children, said they have been joining the Liberation Day festivities every year and “our business always picks up.”
This year, Cruz said they will have more games for the children. “We just want the children to enjoy.”
Joe Limes, chairman of the entertainment and presentation committee, said there will be four performers today and the program will start at 6 p.m.: Stage Sound, Uncle Ben’s Dance and Studio, the Afetna Regine Band and the Retro Jazz Band.
On June 6, the performers are Stage Sound, Timothy Youth Circle, Weillepal Band and the Angel International School of Dance. The Stage Sound and the Weillepal Band will perform twice.
Sunday’s performers are Stage Sound, Inatuas, Local Boys and Island Warriors.
On Monday, Stage Sound, Falun Dafa, and Past and Present are scheduled to perform.
The masters of ceremonies are John Hosono, LJ Castro and Gordon I. Marciano.
