CURRENT EVENTS & HAPPENINGS ON ROTA

Thursday January 1st - (Public holiday in Northern Mariana Islands) - WELCOME to the New Year!!!

  Monday January 19th - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - (Public holiday in Northern Mariana Islands Public holiday      in Northern Mariana IslandsPublic holiday in Northern Mariana IslandsPublic holiday in Northern Mariana      Islands) Enjoy a 3-day weekend.



  Thursday January 31st - Start the new year of 2026 with a personal challenge. You   can make it a New Year Resolution.

  Different catagories for everyone with cash prizes. Come for the challenge, the   competition, camaraderie or just for the plain fun of it.

  For more information see - 2026 Rota Marathon

  Sunday February 8th or ? on Rota/CNMI - "SUPER BOWL 60" - This years Superbowl    LX will be the ? vs. ? and will be held at Levi's Stadium (Home of the San Francisco    49ers) in Santa Clara, CA.

   Not an official holiday, although a lot people believe it should be. It is a time for friends    and family to get together for drink, barbecuing, rooting for your favorite team and just    having a good time.

Come one, come all and enjoy the game at Rota's Pizzaria Bar & Grill Monday morning at 8:30 AM located in Songsong Village. Football food and beer specials. Be there!



Saturday February 14th - Valentine's Day - Be with the one you love or love the one you're with, but either way enjoy Valentine's for the weekend.

There are several theories as to origin of Valentine's day, but the one I like goes like this: It is a celebration of the life of Saint Valentine who lived in Constantinople 150 years after Constantine turned the city in a Christian one. There was a pagan celebration on February 15th where lots of unmarried men chose a bride and were married on this day. Married men didn't want to go to war, so Roman Emperor Claudius II forbade young men to marry. Ignoring the decree Saint Valentine was executed on February 14, in the year A.D. 270.

Monday February 16th - President's Day - This makes for a nice long 3-day weekend. (Public holiday in Northern Mariana Islands)

This Federal holiday, which was officially called "Washington's Birthday, is today more commonly referred to as President's Day. It is the first Federal holiday honoring an American citizen. It not only honors Washington, but also Lincoln and all others who have been President                                     of the United States.

  Tuesday March 17th - Saint Patrick's Day - Originally, the event commemorated the death of the Irish   patron Saint Patrick who died on March 17, 461 AD. He is regarded as the key figure in converting   Ireland to Christianity, using the shamrock leaf to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity. He also   supposedly chased away all the snakes in Ireland.

Luckily you don't have to be Irish to celebrate St. Patrick's day. Sorry Rota has no Guinness stout or green beer, so you'll have to settle for a Bud or a Bud Lite.

Friday March 20th - March Equinox

Date Pending - The 6th Annual Gilita Chamorro Festival is happening at the Chamorro Village Learning Center in     Songsong. It will feature local food, music and handicrafts inspired by Chamorro culture.

Tuesday March 24th - "Commonwealth Covenant Day" (Public holiday in Northern Mariana Islands).

    Wednesday April 1st - Beware what anybody tells you on this day as it is April Fools' Day!     Playing practical jokes and hoaxes are common on this day. You can play a joke or trick     someone and yell "April Fools" to have fun and enjoy the fun spirit of the day.




Friday April 3rd - Good Friday - (Public holiday in Northern Mariana Islands) Enjoy a 3-day weekend.

Sunday April 5th - Easter.

  Date Pending - Is the date for the 36th annual American Red Cross CNMI-wide Walkathon. For   information on the Walkathon and how you can support, volunteer or participate, contact Kayla   Mendiola at 670-783-2825, call the chapter at 234-3459 or e-mail Red Cross Saipan Chapter

On Rota a $20 donation receives a Red Cross T-shirt. Free sandwich and refreshments for walkers. Come on out and support the American Red Cross, you never know when you might need their help. Event begins at 0600 at Guata Beach Park - Be there!

Tuesday May 5th - Cinco de Mayo (literally means 5th of May) - It is a celebration of the Mexican Army's victory over France during the Franco- Mexican War. The battle was fought at Puebla and is considered a minor holiday inside Mexico. This holiday seems to be celebrated more in the U.S. than in Mexico.

In the U.S. however, Cinco de Mayo not only celebrates the victory at the Battle of Puebla, but a celebration of the culture and heritage of the Mexican people. So much for the history lesson, this day is a day to enjoy Mexican food and drink Margaritas. So what does Cinco de Mayo mean in English...TEQUILA!!!




  Sunday May 10th - Mother's Day - Take your mother out for a wonderful breakfast or brunch,   she deserves it.


Monday May 25th Memorial Day (Public holiday in Northern Mariana Islands) - Memorial Day is observed on the     last Monday of May. It was formally known as Decoration Day and commemorates all the men and women, who     have died in military service for the United States. It is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season. Enjoy     a 3-day weekend.

Juneteenth - Friday June 19th - Juneteenth (Public holiday in Northern Mariana Islands) - A day that was     established as a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of African-American slaves.


    Sunday June 21st - Fathers Day - A day honoring all fathers, grandfathers and father     figures.

    Take some time and spend it with your dad.



Sunday June 21st - This is the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year for the Marianas. SUMMER     begins!

Date Pending - MVA (Marianas Visitors Authority) Sweet Potato Festival. Come and enjoy some Chamorro     hospitaltity.

Saturday July 4th / Government offices will be given Friday July 3rd off (Public holiday in Northern Mariana     Islands) Independence Day or the 4th of July as it is commonly known. This holiday commemorates the adoption     of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 and the announcement of our independence from England. It is     a day of celebration - picnics, barbecues, hot dogs, baseball and fireworks to name a few. It is also CNMI     Liberation day. Enjoy a 3-day weekend!!!

Date Pending - Come and enjoy the Rota Coconut Festival.

Monday September 7th - Labor Day (Public holiday in Northern Mariana Islands) - This is a 3-day weekend, so     come on over to Rota and enjoy yourself!

Date Pending - Bud Light Cliff Fishing Derby - Come on out and show off your fishing mojo

Date Pending - Come and join the 2024 International Coastal Cleanup Day. For more information you can     contact Mr. William "Bill" Pendergrass of Rota BECQ at telephone number 670-532-0466 or E-mail: Rota BECQ     Office

Monday September 22nd - September Equinox

Friday October 10, 11 and 12 - It's that time of year again for the famous annual Rota "San Francisco DeBorja"     Fiesta now know as "Bisita Luta". San Francisco DeBorja is the patron saint of Rota. All this takes place at the     Chamorro Village in Songsong. The original fiesta has morphed from its religious roots to a more commercialized     atmosphere in the past several years, but it is an exciting island event.

    For one of the stories of Rota's patron saint check out this link: Their Patron Saint To The Rescue

    Come join us in celebration starting with the annual fishing derby. Registration and Mandatory Orientation on     Thursday October 9th with the    Luta Fishing Derby commencing on Friday October 10th and 11th.

    For further information you can contact the Rota Mayor's Office at Tel: 670-532-9451/2

Monday October 12th - Columbus Day (Public holiday in Northern Mariana Islands) - It's a holiday celebrating     the anniversary of the October 12, 1492 arrival of Europeans to the Americas. Italian - Americans observe     Columbus Day as a celebration of their heritage. It is also a local CNMI holiday know as Commonwealth Cultural     Day - It's a 3-day weekend.

Saturday October 31st - Halloween - This fun day was originally know as "Samhain" a Pagan Celt festival    celebrated in Ireland and Great Britain. This tradition was brought to North America by immigrants from these    countries. The term Halloween is shortened from All-hallow-even, as it is the evening of/before "All Hallows' Day",    which we know as "All Saints' Day".

    Halloween is not just for kids, so if you're looking for excitement, something new, a change of pace or just to get     out of the house on a Friday night come and join us at Pizzaria for a Halloween celebration and wear a costume if     you dare.

Wednesday November 4th - CNMI Citizenship Day - (Public holiday in Northern Mariana Islands)

Wednesday November 11th - Veteran's Day - (Public holiday in Northern Mariana Islands) - Don't forget to show     your appreciation to a veteran on this day. Hug a veteran

Thursday November 26th - Thanksgiving Day - (Public holiday in Northern Mariana Islands) - We celebrate this     day with turkey, so that we have leftovers for sandwiches, soup and turkey fried rice!

Tuesday December 8th - Constitution Day - (Public holiday in Northern Mariana Islands) - A 3-day weekend.

Tuesday December 22nd - Winter Solstice - The shortest day of the year for the Marianas

Friday December 25th - Christmas Day - (Public holiday in Northern Mariana Islands) - Enjoy your Christmas     vacation.

Thursday December 31st - New Years Eve!!!