The 2005 Ecoarts Festival

Deadlines for entries set

The Division of Environmental Quality said that registration forms and guidelines for the various EcoArts Festival competitions can now be picked up at its office in Gualo Rai. The registration deadline for all competitions is July 22, 2005, and forms may be submitted to DEQ.

The 2005 EcoArts Festival will be held on July 29, 30, and 31 at the American Memorial Park and will feature the following categories:

* Battle of the Bands

* Film Festival

* Sculpture Park and Visual Arts Gallery

* Cook-a-Rainbow
Challenge

* Performing Arts (Eco-Drama, Poetry Slam and Original Oratory)

* Recycle Wear Fashion Show

Also, food vendors who would like to participate in the EcoArts Festival are advised to register early to ensure that they are properly accommodated. Vendor registration forms can be picked up at Glimpses Advertising Saipan at the ground floor of the Gualo Rai Center on Middle Road. Forms must be submitted to Glimpses no later than July 15, 2005.

There is a non-refundable registration fee of $200 that includes the use of lights and a 20’ x 20’ tent space for operation purposes during the event. The fee is due and payable upon registration.

Food vendors are asked to bring their own tables, chairs, extension cords and other materials that they may need.

“And because this is a festival to promote environmental awareness, we ask that all vendors come prepared to separate their recyclable waste, such as aluminum cans, paper, and bottles, and dispose of all other garbage in appropriate receptacles,” said Tina Sablan of DEQ and a member of the EcoArts Festival committee.

For more information about the EcoArts Festival, contact Fran Castro or Tina Sablan at 664-8500.

Beverage vendors wanted for beer garden

The EcoArts Festival committee is seeking any interested party, especially nonprofit organizations, that want to operate a beverage booth in a “beer garden” that will be featured during the festival.

There are at least three slots available for those interested. Vendors will need to operate the booth on all three days of the festival.

To sign up or for more information, contact Reina Camacho at 664-8500 during working hours or call 322-0741 in the evenings. You may also send inquiries to deqpio@vzpacifica.net.

Chefs urged to sign up for Cook-a-Rainbow Challenge

If you love to cook food, then this is an opportunity you would not want to miss: The EcoArts Festival will be holding the 2005 Cook-a-Rainbow Challenge, where you can cook the most colorful recipe using locally grown vegetables.

Not only will you win fabulous cash prizes, you will also get a chance to have your recipe printed in a cookbook, which will be distributed.

It is open to all chefs— amateur or professional— and would require a dish that includes at least one of the following vegetable colors—red, yellow/orange, green and purple.

There are two categories: professional and amateur.

The winning recipe will be printed in a cookbook for distribution by the Northern Marianas College Community Research Extension and Educational Services.

Submit an entry to the Division of Environmental Quality in the Gualo Rai Center on Middle Road no later than 4:30pm on July 22.

The 2005 Cook-a-Rainbow Challenge is among highlights of the first-ever three-day EcoArts Festival scheduled for July 29-31. The event, which will be held to promote environmental awareness, is being organized by DEQ, in partnership with various public and private organizations and volunteers.

The cooking contest will take place at the American Memorial Park on July 30, 2005 at 5pm.

For more information, contact Patricia Coleman of NMC-CREES at 234-3690 Ext. 1734; or Lynn Tenorio and Tanya Camacho of the Department of Public Health at 664-4030/3.

The 2005 Cook-a-Rainbow Challenge is a joint activity of DEQ, NMC-CREES and DPH.