After five days of events, the 2021 Tinian San Jose Fiesta ended on Sunday May 2nd.
The fiesta started last Wednesday and Thursday with a two-day soft opening with a performance by JTK Sounds.
Then, on Friday, the festival officially began with its opening ceremony.
In the late afternoon, the gates opened, along with the CNMI Covid-19 Task Force, which carried out temperature tests.
The Tinian Jr.-Sr. High school JROTC Color Guard released the colors, followed by local teen idols Isa and Cielo Long who led the chanting of the national and CNMI anthems.
Father Anthony Aguason of the Tinian Ward gave the opening address, followed by welcoming speeches by the Mayor of Tinian, Edwin P. Aldan.
“Every year we celebrate this festival in honor of our beloved Saint Joseph, who is the patron saint of work and hard work. His name is particularly honored in difficult times like these when work is scarce because of [the] Covid-19 pandemic, “said Mayor Aldan.
“We have all had tough times during this pandemic and we all have the same struggles. So let’s take time this weekend to ponder and count our blessings. May we share in the immense love and support in our community and in the fact that we are all healthy and our community [is] Covid-free. “
“There is a lot to celebrate this weekend. How far have we come since this pandemic? So have fun with loved ones, ”he added.
Senator Francisco Q. Cruz, chairman of the Tinian and Aguiguan legislative delegation, took the stage after Mayor Aldan and made special comments on behalf of the delegation.
“We hope you have a great time with family and friends as we celebrate our annual festival in honor of St. Joseph. The festival is a great time to catch up, strengthen and renew relationships with people who have helped us through difficult and difficult times, “said the Senator.
Our fiesta celebration is also a thank you to our Lord for all the blessings He has given us … I see this is an effective way to encourage community participation and thereby improve teamwork in our church . “
He added, “I am really honored and grateful for the unity, participation and support in our great community.”
Tinian City Council Vice-Chair Thomasa P. Mendiola made the closing remarks.
“There are two major events here on Tinian: the Pika Festival and the San Jose Fiesta. But of course our festival for San Jose, which we have been celebrating for 65 years, is our main festival, and this year our festival is special because Pope Francis has declared this year the year of St. Joseph Patron [saint]”Said the councilor.
“We have a lot to celebrate. In the past two years we have had to reduce our activities due to the destruction of our church by Typhoon Yutu [Covid-19] Pandemic. These two unprecedented disasters have played a large part in most of our setbacks, but one thing they did not destroy was our beliefs. “
“We come together as a community and look for that silver lining. That’s us, ”she added.
Father Aguason gave the final invitation before local talent Bobbie Degracia took the stage, followed by Dar Demapan, Gigolo Coverband and Island Vibe Entertainment.
On Saturday the fiesta continued in the early morning with the annual fishing derby.
In the early afternoon, Island Vibe Entertainment took the stage again and serenaded the event’s attendees with local jams.
Further competitions took place in the afternoon with the stand presentation competition, the Fiesta Cook-off / Chiba and the paddle board competition.
In the late afternoon, mass was celebrated in San Jose Church.
The JROTC Drill Team led the presentations on stage, followed by performances by Joe Sablan, Colleen Cing, Isa and Cielo Long, Bobbie Degracia, Dar Demapan, the Gigolo Cover Band and Island Vibe Entertainment.
On the last day of the festival, the athletes fought on the field with the Fiesta softball tournament.
The first game was a fight between the Batting Bees and Familia, followed by the Hustlers against Mangachong and Braves against the Saipan team.
The winners were announced after each event before concluding with live entertainment from Island Vibe Entertainment.
The 65th annual San Jose Fiesta was sponsored by the Office of the Tinian and Aguiguan Mayors, Tinian City Council, Marianas Visitors Authority, Marpac Inc., Fishing Tackle & Sporting Goods, Docomo Pacific, and Triple J.
