January 2023

Sunday January 1st / Observed Monday January 2nd - (Official Federal and CNMI holiday) - WELCOME to the New Year!!! Monday January 16th - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - (Official Federal and CNMI holiday) Enjoy a 3-day weekend.

February 2023

Sunday February 12th or Monday the 13th on Rota/CNMI - "SUPER BOWL 57" - This years Super Bowl    LVII will be played by the Philadelphia Eagles vs. the Kansas City Chiefs at State Farm Stadium in Glendale,    Arizona. 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! Tuesday 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 20th - 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 2023

Wednesday March 1st - Start of Rota's co-ed softball season. Games held at the Tun Kindu baseball field in Sinapalo every Wednesday and     Friday from March 1 - Apil 28, 2023 (Except for Friday April 7 - Good Friday an official CNMI holiday). First game starts at 6:30 PM and     second game at 7:45 PM. Bring your own beer or drinks, grab something to eat at one of the local food vendors on site and enjoy a ball game.   Friday 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.   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. Friday March 24th - "Commonwealth Covenant Day" is an official CNMI holiday and a 3-day weekend.

April 2023

Continue following the Rota softball season through April 28th with games every Wednesday and Friday (Except for Friday April 7 - Good     Friday an official CNMI holiday). First game starts at 6:30 PM and second game at 7:45 PM. Great local social event.   Saturday 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 22 - Is the date for the 34th annual American Red Cross CNMI-wide Walkathon. For information on the   Walkathon and how you can support, volunteer or participate, call the chapter at 234-3459 or   e-mail Red Cross Saipan Chapter On Rota a $20 donation receives a T-shirt and a gift. Free sandwich and refreshments for walkers. Many other raffle prizes. 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. For more information, please call Pete Dela Cruz at 670-532-3117. Friday April 7th - Good Friday - (An official CNMI holiday) Enjoy a 3-day weekend. Sunday April 9th - Easter.

May 2023

Friday 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.   Sunday May 14th - Mother's Day - Take your mother out for a wonderful breakfast or brunch, she deserves it. Monday May 29th 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 2023

Sunday June 18th - Fathers Day - Be nice to your dad today. Juneteenth - Monday 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. Wednesday June 21st - This is the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year for the Marianas

July 2023

Tuesday 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 2023

Nothing Happening In August

September 2023

Monday September 4th - Labor Day (Official Federal and CNMI holiday) - This is a 3-day weekend, so come on over to Rota and enjoy     yourself! Friday September 8th and Saturday September 9th - Rota Coconut Festival. For more information or a detailed schedule of events, contact     the Rota Mayor's Office at E-mail: Rota Mayor's Office or call 1-670-532-9451. Friday September 15 - Come and join the 2023 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

October 2023

October ? - It's that time of year again for the famous annual Rota "San Francisco DeBorja" Fiesta.     For further information you can contact the Rota Mayor's Office at Tel: 670-532-9451/2 Monday October 9th - 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.    Tuesday 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 2023

Saturday November 4th / Observed Friday November 3rd - CNMI Citizenship Day - (An official CNMI Holiday) 3-day weekend!!! Saturday November 11th / Observed Friday November 10th - 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 14th - Thursday November 17th - DEMA (Diving Equipment & Marketing Association) Show the   world's only international event for the scuba diving industry will be held at the Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.   For more information go to - DEMA Show Information Thursday November 23rd - 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 2023

Friday December 8th - Constitution Day - (An Official CNMI holiday) - A 3-day weekend. Thursday December 21st - Winter Solstice - The shortest day of the year for the Marianas Monday December 25th - Christmas Day - (A Federal and official CNMI holiday) - Enjoy your Christmas vacation. Sunday December 31st - New Years Eve!!!