Agri Fair takes off tomorrow
The finest produce and livestock will be showcased tomorrow at the Civic Center in Susupe as farmers and ranchers display the fruit of their labor during the 26th Annual Saipan Agricultural Fair.
As of yesterday, about 80 percent of the preparations have been completed, according to Saipan Agricultural Fair Association president Donald Flores.
“We’ve been working all week on this,” he said. “We’re very excited and by [this] afternoon, the place should be ready.”
Flores said hauling of animals to the site will begin at 2pm today and continue until 11pm. Poultry entries will be brought to the site early tomorrow morning.
Individuals interested to register their vegetables for judging and display must do so today, with root crops registration set from 10am to 2pm and other vegetables from 2pm to 10pm.
Each participant must pay a $10 registration fee, in addition to $1 per entry.
“We’ll be here all night placing [entries] for display and getting them ready for judging,” Flores said.
Judging begins at 6am tomorrow for produce and 8am for animals.
Grand prize for both plant and animal divisions will be in the form of in-kind prizes worth $1,000. First runner-up in both categories will receive $500, second runner-up $300, and third runner-up $200.
The fair highlight’s the celebration of Mes Lancheros—Farmers Month. It also includes competitions such as coconut husking and grinding, and greasy pole climb.
The coconut husking and grinding competition features teams of two individuals husking and grinding 10 coconuts while being timed. The pair completing the task with the quickest time will be awarded $100.
Other activities include cockfighting at the Saipan Cockfight Dome located along Middle Road in Gualo Rai and Bingo.
Also, about 35 concession booths will be set up at the site selling fruits, vegetables, hot lunch, and barbecue, among others. Majority of the group are members of the Saipan Sabalu Market.
As in the previous years, farmers shared their celebration of Mes Lancheros with the man’amko and the CHC Volunteers Association by donating crops.