LibDay festivities end with a bang

After the parade that morning, hundreds of community members and tourists packed the Liberation Day grounds at the Garapan Fishing Base last Thursday evening, July 4.

With individuals and families gathered to enjoy the fair grounds’ food, games, and entertainment, the main draw that evening was the fireworks show which concluded the nearly monthlong Liberation Day festivities.

The fireworks, which was setup at the fishing base dock, were finally lit at 9:30pm after all the lights went off at the fairgrounds and a 10-minute firework show proceeded to paint the sky.

Families from across the island gathered for the spectacle and for several community members, they had come to make memories with their kids.

“It was nice to see fireworks again even if it was only a few minutes,” said Dan Dan resident Christian Gelacio.

Alayssa Mondido, who had come from Koblerville with her siblings said, “It was short and simple, but still a nice show for the community to come together and watch.”

Kagman resident and mother of one Michelle Somol shared. “It was a good fireworks show. I’m glad that they brought it out again this year. It’s something that the community looks forward to.”

According to 2024 Liberation Day Committee parade chair and Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas “RB” Camacho’s chief of staff Priscilla Iakopo, the fireworks had cost $7,000 and had been a donation from one of their sponsors.

“The fireworks were donated by our sponsors who gave us the monetary cash to put on a 10-minute fireworks show for the community and our visitors as well.”

She then shared her gratitude to everyone who made this year’s Liberation Day festivities a success.

“First off I really want to thank all the volunteers and all the sponsors and everyone who came out and provided their best and delicious food, drinks, games arts and crafts… the whole nine yards. Without them we wouldn’t be able to do this; same goes for the parade as well. A lot of the community came together to put on a good show and we hope that next year, even more folks can come in and join, so that next year the celebration can be even bigger.”

Iakopo shared that the committee was definitely looking to work on areas they felt were lacking to make the event even better next year. “

“We are always looking for ways to make these festivities better.”

She also thanked 2024 Liberation Queen Xeayda Manglona, Royal Princess Charlene Dabney, and Royal Princess runner-up Nakisha Celis for “stepping up to the plate and being a role model to the young women as well.”

Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas “RB” Camacho said he was impressed with how the 2024 Liberation Day festivities turned out.

“I am impressed at the outcome and the participation of the community. We are stronger when we work together. That is the magic here.”

He said he was happy with the diverse cultures represented in the day’s festivities. He believes the meetings with the many businesses and different ethnic leaders and their communities helped create a more inclusive celebration this year. “I think this is the result. They see that we are inclusive. Because I told them that this is not only a Chamorro and Carolinian community, it’s a diverse community now.”