SAIPAN — Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas “RB” Camacho said the island will hold its 80th Liberation Day celebration on July 3 and 4 despite the ongoing recovery from Super Typhoon Sinlaku, with free concessions and a celebration marking three milestones at once.
Camacho said the event will be held at the Civic Center Grounds in Susupe, the same site as last year, chosen for its ties to the Camp Susupe area connected to the islands’ liberation. He said the celebration will recognize the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, the 50th anniversary of the Covenant and the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Camacho said vendors and concessionaires must apply through the Mayor of Saipan’s Office by 3 p.m. Monday, June 22. He said applicants can call 234-6208 or email treasurer.liberation@gmail.com, and must meet requirements that include a fire permit.
Camacho said the same June 22 date is the deadline to register for federal disaster assistance through FEMA and the Small Business Administration. He said residents do not need to complete all their paperwork to qualify but must be registered before the deadline. He said the Mayor’s Office has hosted SBA staff and handled tent and roof-cover assistance since the early days of the recovery.
The mayor used much of the interview to appeal for community help. He urged residents to stop dumping debris along roadsides after crews have cleared them and said violators could be cited under littering law. He said the Mayor’s Office, the Department of Public Works under Secretary Ray Yumul, and the Parks and Recreation Division under Director Mike Cruz are clearing different parts of the island, with a contractor running night operations away from residential areas.