Greet the Millennium in Paradise...Celebrate from
Sunset to Sunrise
January, 2000 --
TINIAN'S
HUGE SUCCESSFUL MILLENNIUM PARTY
- Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands
The CNMI’s largest and most extravagant Millennium party was hosted by the
Tinian Mayor’s Office and the Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino.
“Tinian 2000” was a non-stop celebration that included one of the CNMI’s
largest firework shows, live entertainment, free food, and the Power 99 live
radio countdown to the Millennium. The “party” began at 7:00 p.m.. on New
Year’s Eve and ended with the first sunrise on January 1, 2000.
The celebration held outside the Tinian Dynasty brought in thousands of
off-island visitors to Tinian from as far as Russia, Japan and the United
States. “During the celebration the head count for people inside the Dynasty
on the casino floor exceeded 3,300! The hotel rooms were fully booked a week
ahead of the event and we tried to accommodate as many people as we could.”
remarks Tinian Dynasty Chairman Michael Kwan.
The
two Tinian Dynasty ferries ran back to back during New Year's Eve just to keep
up with the demand as visitors made their way to the beautiful island of Tinian
to bring in the New Millennium.
“We are living in a time in history where we can witness the beginning of a
new century, and that is why we should all celebrate in a big way!” said the
Overall Committee Chairman for the Millennium Celebration, Jose P. Cruz in his
opening remarks.
“I foresee a very bright and prosperous New Year for all the people of Tinian,
our local business community and Tinian’s casino industry.” Mayor Borja said
in his speech.
A mini children’s fireworks show, sponsored by the Tinian Mayor’s Office,
was also a part of the festivities. The mini show started at 8pm in order for
young children who would not be awake at the stroke of midnight to experience
part of the festivities. The children were also in for a special treat when
1,500 sparklers were handed out under supervision during the show.
Inside the hotel the Mix Cultural Dancers from Saipan
performed for a large group of Russian visitors at the Broadway Restaurant.
Outside at the Dynasty’s helipad, the large stage, rented by the Tinian
Mayor’s Office, encompassed an impressive variety of local entertainment and
live bands. Special appearances included Julian Hofschneider who sang songs from
his soon-to-release album “Flame in my Heart”; new Tinian Dynasty casino
dancers from Russia who gave a 15-minute program of Mediterranean dances and the
Can-Can; Sam Joyner who contributed to the music entertainment during the break
of Olomwaay Band; and several Tinian children groups gave performances which
culminated with the crowd favorite “Baby Clueless”, a dance group comprised
of 3 to 6 year olds. The program ended at the break of dawn.
As the Honorable Mayor Borja did a live countdown with Power 99FM on air, the
excitement led to the 20-minute dazzling fireworks extravaganza and the
unrolling of the Welcome 2000 stage banners at the count of zero.
The fireworks drew crowds not only at the celebration venue but also hundreds of
people who viewed from the Tinian dock, from the nearby Tinian hills as well as
Mt. Tagpachao on Saipan. The colorful display, which could be seen from miles
away, also drew attention from the passengers on the 11:30 p.m. M/V Saipan
Express ferry sailing to Tinian. Meanwhile the players inside the casino toasted
the New Year with champagne and party favors.
The Department of Public Safety resident director Pete Q. Cruz reported that
there were no negative disturbances or injuries from the crowd. The main
fireworks site at Taga Beach was safe and secured by the Emergency Management
Office. And Tinian experienced no Y2K Millennium Software Bug Problems. All in
the entire event was a huge success.
“I am very proud of all of my staff who contributed to this Millennium event.
The Millennium event on Tinian proved that if we work together as one island we
could be the jewel of the Marianas. I have never seen so many people on Tinian
in my life. I even met a couple from Holland who originally wanted to visit Guam
but then came to Tinian after they heard about our celebration. There was
nothing but positive reactions to our event. Hundreds of people came up to me to
thank me, but I told each one of them that it was not the work of one person but
the work of an entire island to make this happen. I invite everyone to see what
Tinian has in store for the New Millennium. We plan to make Tinian the jewel of
the entire Pacific.” Mayor Borja said.
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