SAIPAN — The 80th CNMI Liberation Day festivities have been officially canceled, Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho and the 80th Liberation Day Committee announced Thursday, calling it an extremely difficult decision made after careful consultations with the National Weather Service as Tropical Storm Saudel slowly intensifies on its approach toward the Marianas.
Although the storm is not expected to directly hit Saipan, the mayor’s office said the decision was made out of an abundance of caution and concern for public safety, to give residents ample time to take necessary precautions and preparations. The office said ongoing recovery efforts remain a top priority for a community still reeling from the impacts of Super Typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi.
“While we understand this may be a big disappointment to the community as well as festival and parade participants, public safety will always come first,” the release said, extending gratitude to all partners who helped prepare and coordinate the event.
The cancellation ends months of preparation for a milestone anniversary of the liberation of Saipan, with festivities that had been set to culminate in Saturday’s parade. Former Lt. Gov. Pedro “Pete” Agulto Tenorio, a signer of the Covenant, had been named grand marshal of the 80th anniversary celebration. The release did not address whether any events would be rescheduled.
Crews were seen removing parade barricades from the festival grounds Thursday morning as the decision was announced.
The cancellation came the same morning the weather service told the Marianas that worry for the southern islands should be minimal, with damaging winds extremely unlikely for Saipan, though rainy and breezy conditions arrive this weekend, seas build to hazardous levels and the far Northern Islands face a typhoon-strength pass. No watches or warnings are in effect for the Marianas.
