Carnival construction begins next week

by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - This time next week we'll start to see the Liberation Carnival come to life as construction will get underway. The annual event will again be held at the Paseo Stadium parking lot. It will also be the first time gambling will be allowed to return since former governor Felix Camacho banned it from the festivities.

After Governor Eddie Calvo gave complete authority over the festivities to village mayors, the Mayors Council of Guam agreed to allow gambling back into the carnival program. MCOG president Angel Sablan said, "In that casino there will be the games that are allowed in a casino poker, Texas Hold 'Em, baccharat, majong, dice, keno and on the outside we have the regular things that you've seen at the carnivals in the past, the color, the bingo and the big and small and over and under."

Guma Mami was awarded the gambling concession and will benefit from the proceeds it generates. Sablan adds the gambling activities will be set away from the actual carnival itself.