It’s all hands on deck as Liberation Day is just around the corner.  

With every sawdust, soapsud, and brushstroke, parade floats are coming together piece by piece, each a tribute to Guam's culture, resiliency and legacy. 

Here at the Mangilao Mayor’s Office, Maintenance Worker Nicolas Campos says, “Right now we’re in crunchtime.”

Campos and summer youth interns were hard at work on Friday morning .

“Right now, we got a hut, a princess, a koko, we got the Guam seal, the latte and the pepper,” added Campos. 

Over in Tiyan, last year’s GovGuam category winner is keeping their eye on the prize with 60% of their floats already complete. 

Guam International Airport Authority Executive Manager John “JQ” Quinata and Fire Chief Raymond Mantanona share the inspiration behind their float. 

“We have four sections of the airport that will actually contribute to the Organic Act signing. That’s the cultural dancers, the CHamoru latte, and also the airplane itself,” said Mantanona. 

“When we think about the theme “Fanohge CHamoru,” the signing of the Organic Act triggered that. You have our legislature that did a walk out at the legislature because they felt that they were second class citizens. But because of the Organic Act signing in 1950, that started our process for us to self govern,” added Quinata.

This year, GIAA is partnering with the Guam Visitors Bureau, symbolizing the road to recovery. 

“So we thought that it was necessary to get together as partners to try and entice our tourists to come back to our island,” said Quinata. 

We won’t give away too much details, but Quinata says to expect “lots of moving parts.” 

“Rhese are just silhouettes, but we’re crossing our fingers that we’re going to make it move,” he added. 

Volunteers across the island are ready to work through the weekend to finish their floats before they roll down Marine Corps Drive on Monday, empowered by this year’s liberation theme. 

“It has dialogue with the theme Fanohge CHamoru. That’s the culture of celebrating the heritage of what we have, our tradition,” said Mantanona. 

“And of course for our people, it starts with the signing of the Organic Act. That’s a big milestone for our history,” added Quinata. 

“It means stand up, strength, resiliency and all of the above,” said Campos.