July 15, 2015
By Pia Kahn
Guam’ biggest holiday is just around the corner. On July 21, the island will be celebrating Liberation Day to commemorate its liberation from Japanese occupation in 1944.
For more than 70 years, the holiday has been celebrated with a parade of floats along Marine Corps Drive in Hagatña and an annual carnival, which is hosted in Tiyan this year. Due to much energy and funds devoted to hosting the Festival of Pacific Arts in May, this 72nd Liberation Day celebration will have fewer floats and vendors, but not less fervor and remembrance for the liberators and survivors of the historic event. Thousands are projected to attend the festivities and 200 spectator spots will be allotted to families and other groups with permits to setup and occupy the sites from 8:00 a.m. July 20 to 6:00 p.m. July 21.
As in the past, the day will begin with the Liberation Mile Run from Adelup to Chamorro Village at 7:21 a.m. Then pre-parade activities begin at 9:00 a.m. with the Wake Up Call motorcycle and car races presented by the Harley Veterans Group and Guam Autospot.
The parade begins right after with a military marching unit, followed by more than 25 floats representing Guam’s villages, government agencies, businesses and community and non-profit organizations. First, second and third place prizes will be given for the village, government and nonprofit organization categories.
This year’s Liberation Queen Alana Barcinas Chargualaf of Inarajan and her Royal Court will be featured on floats and vehicles. And Liberator Gene Bell who was part of the 3rd Marine Division in 1944 will be honored at the opening ceremony.
After the parade, which ends around 3:00 p.m., families and other spectators can enjoy the carnival in the evening and watch the family-friendly fireworks at 8:00 p.m., and the bigger fireworks at 9:00 p.m.
The carnival opened June 6 and will be running till Aug. 15. Hours of operation are from 6:00 p.m. to midnight on weekdays and till 2:00 a.m. on weekends.
This year the carnival has 71 vendors with fast foods, prepared foods, confectioneries, novelty items, 24 games, kiddie and adult rides, and separate bingo and casino sections.
Among the yearly favorites are 3 kiddie trains, a ferris wheel, a zipline, a rock climbing wall, a safari ride.
Kids can win an assortment of prizes, from stuffed toys to remote controlled toy cars. A Raffle will be held July 31 with a chance to win $10,000 in prizes.
The carnival will also have entertainment every night overseen by Jamzmedia, featuring a DJ from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and live music from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.. Among the slated performers are the Marine Corps Band, the 721st Army Band, local bands and various youth groups. Those who wish to perform can call 472 8285-6 and ask for Gregorio Calvo, Jenny Regis or Angie Gumataotao at the Hagatña Mayor’s Office.
The carnival is ADA (American Disabilities Act) compliant, and has facilities giving quick access to all the booths.
