January 2024

Monday January 1st - (Official Federal and CNMI holiday) - WELCOME to the New Year!!! Monday January 15th - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - (Official Federal and CNMI holiday) Enjoy a 3-day weekend.

February 2024

Sunday February 11th or Monday the 12th on Rota/CNMI - "SUPER BOWL 58" - This years Super Bowl    LVIII will be played by the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the San Francisco 49'ers at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas,    Nevada. 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 and rooting for your favorite team.    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! Wednesday 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 19th - President's Day - This makes for a nice long 3-day weekend. (Official Federal and CNMI holiday) 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.

March 2024

Sunday 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.   Wednesday March 20th - March Equinox March (Date to be announced) - It's the weekend of the San Isidro Fiesta in the village of Sinapalo, which will also include the Rota    Agricultural Fair - Come over to Rota for the weekend and enjoy some Rota Island hospitality. Sunday March 24th - To be observed on Monday, March 25th - "Commonwealth Covenant Day" is an official CNMI holiday and a 3-day     weekend. Friday March 29th - Good Friday - (An official CNMI holiday) Enjoy a 3-day weekend. Sunday March 31st - Easter.

April 2024

Monday 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.   Saturday April 20 - Is the date for the 35th 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! Sunday April 21st - The Luta Friendly Fishing Club Presents: The 6th annual Rota Friendly Fishing Derby / West Harbor Marina 0600-1600     / Entry Fee: $65.00

May 2024

Wednesday May 1st - Is the Grand Opening of Rota's newest free diving/dive shop "Sea Peoples Rota." For information contact: Sea People Rota Sunday 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. 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 12th - Mother's Day - Take your mother out for a wonderful breakfast or brunch, she deserves it. Monday May 27th Memorial Day (Official Federal and CMNI holiday) - 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.

June 2024

Sunday June 16th - Fathers Day - Be nice to your dad today. Juneteenth - Wednesday June 19th - Juneteenth (Official Federal and CNMI holiday) - A day that was established as a federal holiday in the     United States commemorating the emancipation of African-American slaves. 3-day weekend!!! Date to be announced - The 5th 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. Thursday June 20th - This is the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year for the Marianas

July 2024

Thursday July 4th - (Official Federal and CNMI holiday) Independence Day or the 4th of July as it is commonly known. This federal 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.

August 2024

August 9, 10 and 11 Bud Light Cliff Fishing Derby August 23, 24 and 25 Coconut Festival.

September 2024

Monday September 2nd - Labor Day (Official Federal and CNMI holiday) - This is a 3-day weekend, so come on over to Rota and enjoy     yourself! Friday September 6, 7 and 8 - Rota Sweet Potato Festival Friday September 20th - 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 Sunday September 22nd - September Equinox

October 2024

October 3, 4, 5 and 6 - It's that time of year again for the famous annual Rota "San Francisco DeBorja" Fiesta.     Come join us in celebration starting with the annual fishing derby.     For further information you can contact the Rota Mayor's Office at Tel: 670-532-9451/2 Monday October 14th - Columbus Day (Official Federal and CNMI holiday) - 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.    Thursday 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".    Not an official holiday, but any excuse for a party, especially if you get to wear a costume!

November 2024

Monday November 4th - CNMI Citizenship Day - (An official CNMI Holiday) 3-day weekend!!! Monday November 11th - Veteran's Day - (Official Federal and CNMI holiday) - Don't forget to show your appreciation to a veteran on this     day and enjoy the 3-day weekend.   Tuesday November 19th - Friday November 22nd - DEMA (Diving Equipment & Marketing Association) Show the world's   only international event for the scuba diving industry will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.   For more information go to - DEMA Show Information Thursday November 28th - Thanksgiving Day - (Official Federal and CNMI holiday) - We celebrate this day with turkey, so that we have     leftovers for sandwiches, soup and turkey fried rice!

December 2024

Sunday December 8th / To Be Observed on Monday December 9th - Constitution Day - (An Official CNMI holiday) - A 3-day weekend. Saturday December 21st - Winter Solstice - The shortest day of the year for the Marianas Wednesday December 25th - Christmas Day - (A Federal and official CNMI holiday) - Enjoy your Christmas vacation. Tuesday December 31st - New Years Eve!!!