Thousands watch LibDay parade

Thousands of residents and tourists lined the stretch of Beach Road in Garapan yesterday afternoon to watch the 62nd Liberation Day Parade.

The parade started at 2pm from the National Office Supply area, with the Taga Riders group on the front line. The arrival of the Royal Court of 2008 Liberation Queen Kaylynn Lizama at the viewing stand in Garapan Fishing Base at 5pm ended the three-hour event.

It was the second successive year that the parade was held in the afternoon to escape the scorching sun. Mother Nature cooperated but many people complained that the heat was still too humid.

From last year’s 15 floats, this year’s parade only had five that were much smaller in size. The participation, however, of nonresident groups and off-island visitors such as from India was an added attraction.

Greg M. Sablan Sr. was this year’s grand marshal, while the parade itself had the theme, “Great Hope & Wisdom Through Liberation.”

Although it was earlier announced that there would be no fireworks, the exhibition pushed through, beginning at 8:30pm. It lasted a scant 20 minutes only and featured medium-powered rockets, unlike previous displays.

Many marchers joined this year’s parade, with PTI, Falun Dafa Association, and the Domatsuri Group of Japan drawing large contingents.

Tents were lined up along both sides of Beach Road as many families came well-prepared, securing choice spots along the parade route a few days before the event.

Sometimes there were long gaps between delegations and the pace was slowed down by some marchers that extended their performances, such as the Falun Dafa Association’s musical band and dancers that performed for about 15 minutes.

After the Taga Riders, the Department of Public Safety’s Color Guard, and the Navy Marchers from the USS Fitzgerald followed. Members of the CNMI Multiple School Unit Color Guard came next, showcasing their rifle and marching drills.

The 2007 and 2008 Royal Queen candidates and parents were next, smiling and waving from aboard their vehicles.

The marching Friends of the Library members waved U.S. flags, tailed by the Bookmobile and members of the CNMI MotherRead and FatherRead Program.

The Falun Dafa Association wowed the crowd with their music. After their band performed, they also had a couple of traditional Chinese dance numbers.

The Domatsuri Group made the parade livelier as over 20 Japanese and Russian dancers pleased the audience with prepared dance numbers.

Many youths participated in the occasion. Among them was the Pathfinder group that showed their marching skills. The Rhythm and Body Crew showed off a mix of traditional and modern dance pieces.

Lions Club International District 204 U.S.A., the CNMI Nursing Association, and Little Darlings Early Childhood also joined the marching groups.

The Chinese Association of Saipan brought color to the parade with their dragon dance. The NMI Football Association followed the group.

Students from Uncle Ben’s Saipan Dream Academy danced using hula hoops, while The Project Impact teens energized the audience with their breakdance moves.

The CNMI Little Baseball All-Stars was followed by a visiting Indian group that performed a traditional dance, their colorful outfits flashing like multi-layered rainbows in the afternoon sun.

The audience witnessed another cultural dance and song courtesy of the Inatuas, while the Department of Public Safety’s Fire Division and Tactical Response and Enforcement Team displayed their fire trucks, high powered guns, and other bomb disposal tools.

PTI, one of the major sponsors of the event, fielded many marchers and several other smiling personnel on board vehicles.

Marpac Distributors arrived aboard motorcycles and huge trucks, while vintage vehicles accompanied the Trench Tech members.

The last part of the parade featured the float competition, with the Department of Corrections displaying creative handicraft made of papers and straws. This won them the first prize in the competition.

The Korean Association of Saipan, the Island Warriors, the United Filipino Organization, and the Man’amko floats followed, adorned with fresh flowers and plants and other colorful materials.

The judges selected Island Warriors for second place, the Man’amko float, third; UFO, in fourth place; and Korean Association, fifth.

Judges for the float competition were Saipan Grand Hotel and Fiesta Resort and Spa event organizer Oscar Yema, artist and former Saipan Tribune reporter Marconi Calindas, and Advance Development Institute coordinator Frances M. Sablan.

The Royal Court’s arrival at the viewing stand ended the three-hour parade at exactly 5pm.

The dignitaries at the viewing stand were led by Gov. Benigno Fitial, first lady Josie Fitial, Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez, Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan, Superior Court presiding judge Robert C. Naraja, House Speaker Arnold Palacios, Senate President Pete Reyes, Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas commander Rear Admiral William French, and Philippine Consul General Wilfredo DL. Maximo.

Mayor Tudela said although it was hot, he’s very happy because the parade went smoothly and was well-organized.

Fitial said he also enjoyed watching the parade. He congratulated the organizers, people, and businesses that participated in the event.

Police did not report any fights or major accidents during the event.