The office of the governor of Guam has announced details for the 80th Liberation Day Parade. This year’s parade will take place on Sunday, July 21, starting at 8 a.m. on Marine Corps Drive with floats departing Adelup.
The parade will broadcast live on KGTF channel 12 and PBS Guam's YouTube channel.
Camping permits along the parade route will be available beginning at 7:21 a.m. on July 12 at the Paseo Stadium Building in Hagåtña.
According to a release, reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. The fee is $50 per 20x20 space and $25 per 10x10 space. Fees are non-refundable and only one permit will be issued per adult applicant after showing proof of identity with a valid picture ID. A cleaning deposit fee of $75 shall be paid in cash or on local check payable to the Treasurer of Guam. Bring exact change. The deposit will be refunded provided all trash is removed, and no damages are assessed to the park area. Campers will be allowed to set up starting Saturday, July 20, at 8 a.m.
At a press conference, Governor Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero said, "This is a banner year. I think we need to all make this a very amazing celebration. As you know, our war survivors, most of our war survivors have moved on, passed on. We need to help with this celebration, celebrating what they have experienced, celebrating their survival, and just celebrating the whole liberation from atrocities in the war.”
A "Liberation Block Party" will take place just like last year at the CHamoru village huts at Paseo in Hagåtña. However, it will be a two-day event from July 20 and July 21, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. The block party will include a Passport Village Contest, food and game vendors, and entertainment.
Lisa Bordallo, spokesperson for the Guam Visitors Bureau said entertainment at the block party will include cultural dancers from Japan and Taiwan, a B-boy dance troupe from Korea, and Guam-rooted performing artists out of San Diego.
She said GVB will also host a World War II U.S. veteran. He is a Marine raider and Guam liberator, Corporal Frank S. Wright. He enlisted in the U.S. Marines at the age of 16, and he fought in four major battles, including Iwo Jima and Guam. Bordallo said, “He is truly our liberator, and we look forward to welcoming him.”
In addition, Bordallo said 1,146 returning Guam residents will be in Guam for the liberation festivities from a GVB and United Airlines Homecoming program.
The festivities will conclude with three fireworks shows at Ft. Apugan, Hagåtña Treatment Plant, and the Statue of Liberty Park. All three shows will happen simultaneously at 7:21p.m. on July 21.
Leon Guerrero said, “We can all work very hard together to make this 80th liberation a very memorable liberation year for our people and to showcase our resilience, our commitment, and our peaceful way of life.” mbj
For more info on other Liberation festivities, visit MCOG provides tentative 80th Liberation Day schedule