Fireworks and live entertainment on Tinian
What do you get when you put live entertainment together with the Commonwealth’s most expensive sound and lighting equipment coupled with a spectacular fireworks show? Answer: Tinian’s biggest party and the most memorable greeting to the new millennium in the Marianas. And it’s all free.
“Tinian 2000” is one of the biggest celebrations of the holidays. It heralds the new millennium and is headed by the 1999 Tinian Mayor’s Holiday Season & Y2K Celebration Committee.
“This party is for the people who have chosen to celebrate the New Year with us here on Tinian.” says the Mayor Francisco M. Borja.
The millennium celebration will be held on Friday, Dec. 31, 1999, beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino grounds. Entertainment starts at 8:00 p.m. “There will be local and professional performances, from high school cheerleaders to martial arts performance, and cultural dance groups from the Filipino community of Tinian and the Young Korean Cultural Dancers, and more,” says Jude Hofschneider, chairman for the Entertainment Subcommittee on the Millennium Celebration. Two local bands will also be featured to play local tunes. Mini-fireworks begin at 8:00 p.m.
The entertainment also features Olomwaay Band, one of the most popular bands in the Mariana Islands. Olomwaay means “thank you” or “blessings/bless you” in Carolinian. As meaningful as their name, the band plays a variety of popular tunes from cha-cha music to Jawaiian beats. Their hit song “Ta Baila Na Dos” (“She Gave Us Love”) is recorded and widely played on local radio stations. Olomwaay will perform after the midnight fireworks show.
The Tinian Casino is also having its own Countdown Party for guests as an additional highlight to the entertainment outside. There will be a Sam Joyner’s One Love Concert at 10:00 p.m.
Casino players will receive free champagne and party favors to toast the coming of the New Year in style, explains Darrell Fair, special casino events coordinator for Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino.
Pianist and singer Ernie Flores, who plays regularly every Friday at Tinian Dynasty, will also perform during the celebration.
